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Books in Earth and planetary sciences

Elsevier's Earth and Planetary Sciences collection brings together pioneering research on the complexities of our planet and beyond. Covering topics from Earth's structural dynamics and ecosystems to planetary exploration, these titles support advancements in geoscience, environmental science, and space studies, offering essential insights for researchers, professionals, and students.

  • Soil Water Repellency

    Occurrence, Consequences, and Amelioration
    • 1st Edition
    • C.J. Ritsema + 1 more
    • English
    It has become clear that soil water repellency is much more wide-spread than formerly thought. Water repellency has been reported in most continents of the world for varying land uses and climatic conditions. Soil water repellency often leads to severe runoff and erosion, rapid leaching of surface-applied agrichemicals, and losses of water and nutrient availability for crops. At present, no optimum management strategies exist for water repellent soils, focusing on minimizing environmental risks while maintaining crop production. The book starts with a historical overview of water repellency research, followed by seven thematic sections covering 26 research chapters. The first section discusses the origin, the second the assessment, and the third the occurrence and hydrological implications of soil water repellency. The fourth section is devoted to the effect of fire on water repellency, section five deals with the physics and modeling of flow and transport in water repellent soils, section six presents amelioration techniques and farming strategies to combat soil water repellency, and section seven concludes the book with an extensive bibliography on soil water repellency.
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility in Underground Mining

    Selected Problems
    • 1st Edition
    • K. Miskiewicz + 3 more
    • F. Krasucki
    • English
    Theoretical and technical problems of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in mining are covered in this volume. EMC is discussed in three main groups of problems: sources (generation) of interference, propagation of interference in mining conditions, the influence of interferences on mining devices, particularly electronic devices used in deep coal mines. Propagation of interference and its influence on mining communication and signalling systems as well as on control systems of mining machines are discussed. Attention is paid to the influences of interference on dispatching sytems which give to the dispatcher some information about mining hazards. The book will be of interest to mining and electrical engineers.
  • Atomic Absorption Spectrometry In Geology

    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 7
    • Ernest Angino
    • English
    Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in Geology, Second Edition, aims to introduce geologists to the basic simplicity and applicability of atomic absorption spectrometry as it relates to geologic problems; to provide a summary of applications of atomic absorption to geology that are at scattered throughout the literature; and to encourage the accelerated application of atomic absorption spectrometry to geological problems. The book is organized into two parts. The first part, ""Theory and instrumentation,"" explains the theory of atomic absorption spectrophotometry; the operation of the atomic absorption spectrophotometer; and the types of interferences in atomic absorption spectrometry. The second part, ""Methods and applications,"" deals with applications of the atomic absorption method, including detection of the metal content of natural waters; metallic content of ores; and the analysis of trace elements in rocks and minerals. Also discussed are applications of the atomic absorption method in marine geochemistry and for isotopic abundance studies. The book includes some Appendices to the First Edition.
  • Electrotechnology in Mining

    • 1st Edition
    • N. Marinovic
    • English
    Both mining and electrical engineers need to bear in mind the following specific requirements of electrical applications in mining. 1) Economy of electrical plant and equipment in relation to the cost price of the extracted mineral ores, governed by the specific exploitation conditions, 2) Reliability of electrical plant and equipment for extractive operations, operational efficiency, and plant and personnel safety. 3) Special safeguards to counteract the additional hazards posed by the use of electric power, and by electrical phenomena in general. The book has been written along these lines, dealing with those topics which highlight the aspects of electrical engineering of relevance for mining engineers and aspects of mining operations that electrical engineers need, to meet the above-mentioned basic requirements governing the introduction and use of electrical plants and systems in mines.This book is intended as a text book and will be of use to students, and colleges as well as to mining and electrical engineers.
  • The Physical Principles of Rock Magnetism

    • 1st Edition
    • Frank Stacey
    • English
    Developments in Solid Earth Geophysics 5: The Physical Principles of Rock Magnetism explores the physical principles of rock magnetism, with emphasis on the properties of finely divided magnetic materials. It discusses the origin and stability of rock magnetizations, the role of remanent magnetism in interpreting magnetic surveys, magnetic anisotropy as an indicator of rock fabric, and the relationship between piezomagnetic changes and seismic activity. Organized into 13 chapters, this volume discusses the properties of solids, magnetite and hematite grains, and rocks with magnetite grains. It also explains various theories and equations in studying rock magnetism. Different types of magnetization are discussed, including their occurrence, significance, and effects. Some of the types include depositional and chemical remanent and thermoremanent magnetization. In addition, this book explains the thermal activation and Piezomagnetic effects, as well as the reversals of remanent magnetism. This reference contains appendices with tables of relevant functions, such as Langevin Function. This book is a valuable source of information for physicists and geologists.
  • Seismic Risk and Engineering Decisions

    • 1st Edition
    • Cinna Lomnitz
    • English
    Seismic Risk and Engineering Decisions attempts to bridge the gap in decision making between earthquake characteristics and structural behavior. The book begins by providing the background on earthquake generation and characteristics. It reviews the present state of matters in seismicity assessment and treats uncertainties explicitly. The impact of earthquakes on large bodies of water and structures is also discussed. These discussions set the stage for the final part of the book, which deals with the principles and implications of seismic design decision analysis. The book also delves into the selection of instruments for seismological research and engineering applications, with emphasis on widely used conventional seismological equipment. This book is intended to help experienced consulting engineers in assessing seismic risk and making rational decisions when locating and designing important engineering works and when drafting building codes and land use regulations. It will also provide advanced students of engineering with bases for benefiting from his future experience.
  • Geochemical Facies Analysis

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 11
    • Warner Ernst
    • English
    Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics 11: Geochemical Facies Analysis summarizes research regarding geochemical analysis of sedimentary facies. It demonstrates the extent to which geochemical criteria can be used to interpret sedimentary facies and considers the physicochemical criteria that affect the sediments deposited, including salinity, temperature, and redox potential. It also examines element or isotope variations in sedimentary rocks that are associated with variations in the depositional environment. Organized into seven chapters, this volume begins by defining the facies. It also presents the prerequisites of geochemical facies analysis. This includes the permanence of the composition of the oceans through long periods of the Earth's history, along with climatic, tectonic, and biological influences. The book then discusses methodological prerequisites for the determination of geochemical facies. It provides the results of geochemical facies analyses, including those for hydrofacies, lithofacies, and biofacies. In addition, it explains the non-chemical methods of facies analysis. The book concludes by looking at practical applications and future importance of geochemical facies analysis. This is an invaluable source book for students, geochemists, and geophysicists.
  • Slope Analysis

    • 1st Edition
    • R Chowdury
    • English
    Slope Analysis summarizes the fundamental principles of slope analysis. It explores not only the similarities but also the differences in rock slopes and soil slopes, and it presents alternative methods of analysis, new concepts, and new approaches to analysis. The book introduces both natural and man-made slopes, the nature of soils and rocks, geomorphology, geology, and the aims of slope analysis. These topics are followed by chapters about stress and strain, shear strength of rock and soils, and progressive failure of slopes. This book also presents limit equilibrium methods I and II, which are the planar failure surfaces and slip surfaces of arbitrary shape, respectively. It also includes stress analysis and slope stability, natural slope analysis, and a brief review on plasticity and shear band analysis. Before presenting its conclusions, the book discusses special aspects of slope analysis, such as earthquake analysis, pseudo-static analysis, dynamic analysis, and anisotropy, in addition to Newmark’s approach.
  • Agricultural Engineering Soil Mechanics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 10
    • E. McKyes
    • English
    This book provides an introduction to classical soil mechanics and foundation engineering, and applies these principles to agricultural engineering situations. Theoretical design formulae are given, plus tables and graphs dealing with bearing capacity factors, wall pressure factors, soil cutting numbers and soil mechanical properties. Many example problems of design and analysis are solved in the text, and there are unsolved problems given for each chapter.The text begins with descriptions of soil origins and classification systems, including agricultural classification schemes, and then introduces classical concepts of soil strength and strength measurement techniques in the laboratory and in the field. Soil mechanics is applied to the design of shallow foundations, and the design formulae as well as tables of bearing capacity factors for design use are provided. New research and design findings in the specialized area of tall and heavy farm silos are also given, in addition to deep pile foundation design for heavy structures on very soft soils. Water flow in soils is treated, together with stability of ditch bank slopes and small earth dams, design of retaining walls and pressure pressures in bins and silos, soil erosion and protection methods, soil cutting and tillage design methods, soil compaction analysis, the use of geotextiles and problems of soil freezing.The book is directed primarily at professional university students in Agricultural Engineering, but will also be of interest to scientists working in other engineering branches, landscape architecture, soil physics and the like.
  • Elemental Analysis in Geochemistry

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 8
    • Alexis Volborth
    • English
    Elemental Analysis in Geochemistry: A. Major Elements provides an introduction to basic classical and modern instrumental ""macro"" methods for geochemical research. The intention is to acquaint the beginning analyst or geochemist with the minimum of analytical methods required to satisfactorily perform a complex silicate or similar analysis. By combining classical and modern instrumental methods in one book, strong emphasis is put on the importance of the analyst's ability to grasp the general structure and relation of some of the most frequently used analytical techniques. The book begins with basic concepts such as the preparation and decomposition of samples; statistical evaluation; and methods of separation and analysis. It outlines the classical qualitative separation scheme, which is very useful in understanding the analytical problems of complex mixtures, especially when hydrogen sulfide group metals are present. It discusses analytical techniques such as the detection and quantitative gravimetric analysis of silicon; volumetric or titrimetric methods; emission photometric analysis; atomic absorption spectroscopy; nondestructive instrumental methods; methods in X-ray spectrochemistry; and developments in neutron activation analysis.