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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.

  • Acid Mine Drainage

    Sustainable Mining Practices for Mitigating Environmental Impact
    • 1st Edition
    • Athanas Simon Macheyeki + 2 more
    • English
    Acid Mine Drainage: Sustainable Mining Practices for Mitigating Environmental Impact provides an in-depth analysis of acid mine drainage (AMD) and its profound effects on ecosystems and communities surrounding mining operations. The book begins by explaining the nature of AMD, including its formation, environmental and socioeconomic impacts, and methods for predicting and monitoring its occurrence. It emphasizes the importance of effective sampling techniques and the use of predictive modeling tools to understand and manage AMD risks. The text explores both conventional and non-conventional mitigation strategies, detailing active and passive treatment methods, including innovative biotechnological approaches and ecosystem-based solutions. It also highlights case studies that showcase successful AMD management practices while addressing the challenges faced in high-impact regions. Finally, the book discusses future directions for sustainable mining practices, emphasizing the need for collaborative resilience and the adoption of innovative solutions to close existing gaps in AMD management.This comprehensive overview serves as an essential resource for researchers and industry professionals committed to reducing the environmental impact of mining activities while promoting sustainable resource management.
  • Reshaping Geotechnical Engineering with Machine Learning

    Theory, Applications, and Innovations
    • 1st Edition
    • Divesh Ranjan Kumar + 3 more
    • English
    Reshaping Geotechnical Engineering with Machine Learning: Theory, Applications, and Innovations explores the transformative impact of machine learning (ML) on the field of geotechnical engineering. The book begins by examining the broad applications of ML in key areas such as foundation engineering and slope stability, demonstrating how advanced algorithms can enhance predictive accuracy and decision-making. It emphasizes the importance of robust data acquisition and preprocessing techniques, which are critical for the successful implementation of ML models in geotechnical contexts. The text examines the use of machine learning for predicting soil behavior, a complex challenge in geotechnical engineering, and highlights its role in risk assessment and management. It also addresses the integration of ML with finite element modeling to improve the analysis of tunnel and underground stability. The applications of machine learning in understanding geotechnical materials further showcase the versatility of these techniques. Through detailed case studies, the book illustrates practical implementations of machine learning, bridging theory and real-world problem-solving. It also covers experimental investigations, including laboratory and field studies, which provide essential data for model training and validation. Additionally, the book discusses failure diagnosis of rock slopes by combining discontinuity analysis with numerical modeling, underscoring the potential of ML to enhance safety and reliability in geotechnical projects. This comprehensive resource highlights how machine learning is revolutionizing geotechnical engineering, offering innovative tools and methodologies that improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety in the discipline.
  • Pattern Recognition Techniques in Gas Sensing

    • 1st Edition
    • Ajit Khosla + 2 more
    • English
    Pattern Recognition Techniques in Gas Sensing provides a comprehensive overview of the methods and technologies used to detect and analyze gases through advanced pattern recognition approaches. The book begins by introducing the fundamentals of gas sensors and their unique data characteristics, laying the groundwork for understanding the complexities involved in gas detection. It then explores the basics of pattern recognition, detailing various statistical methods that have been traditionally employed to interpret sensor data. The text looks into Bayesian and probabilistic methods, offering insights into their applications for improving gas sensing accuracy. Cluster analysis techniques are examined as tools for grouping sensor responses to identify specific gas patterns. The integration of machine learning in gas sensing is thoroughly discussed, highlighting how these algorithms enhance detection capabilities by learning from complex datasets. Further, the book presents deep learning techniques, showcasing their power in handling large volumes of sensor data and extracting meaningful features for precise gas identification. Data processing techniques essential for preparing and refining sensor outputs are also covered, providing readers with practical knowledge for real-world applications. The book concludes with a forward-looking perspective on emerging trends and future directions in gas sensing, emphasizing the continuous evolution of pattern recognition technologies. This book serves as an essential resource for researchers, engineers, and professionals seeking to advance the field of gas sensing through innovative pattern recognition techniques, fostering more accurate and reliable detection systems.
  • Physics of the Atmosphere

    • 1st Edition
    • Francisco J. Tapiador
    • English
    Physics of the Atmosphere offers a comprehensive overview of the processes of the Earth-atmosphere system. Readers will gain a thorough understanding of the physical underpinnings of meteorology and climatology. The text is organized into five parts beginning with a review of the mathematics that supports atmospheric physics. The second part lays the foundation by studying the Earth system, the atmosphere, solar and terrestrial radiation, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics. The third part examines water vapor, clouds, and precipitation. Then various systems are detailed, such as tropical weather systems, extratropical cyclones, polar weather systems, mesoscale convective systems, and microscale phenomena. The book closes with a look at measurement and modeling including weather forecasting. Case studies are presented throughout to offer readers real-world examples of these concepts and their applications. This comprehensive survey of atmospheric physics will serve as an invaluable resource for those studying and practicing in meteorology, climatology and other related fields.
  • The Catchment to Coast Conundrum in Tanzania

    The Past, the Present, and the Future of Water Resources and Anthropogenic Activities
    • 1st Edition
    • Asukile R. Kajuni + 2 more
    • English
    The Catchment to Coast Conundrum in Tanzania: The Past, the Present, and the Future of Water Resources and Anthropogenic Activities is an essential book addressing the interactions between river basins and coastal and marine environments in the West Indian Ocean region (WIO). Key issues include water and sediment quality degeneration due to pollution, physical alteration, destruction of habitats, and changes in freshwater flows and sediment loads. The WIO region is experiencing rapid population growth, causing land-based activities to exert pressure on the marine environment, degrade critical coastal habitats, and alter freshwater flow and sediment loads into the WIO.The book emphasizes the importance of science-based ecosystem-centered management of river basins for the sustainability of ecosystems in the WIO region. It discusses increased human population pressure and inappropriate land uses in upper catchments as major causes of environmental degradation. This comprehensive guide aims to provide students and researchers with essential knowledge about the area and raise awareness on the significance of river restoration and conservation in river basin management, including coastal areas.
  • Big Data Mining and Machine Learning in Geoscience

    • 1st Edition
    • Yongzhang Zhou + 4 more
    • English
    Big Data Mining and Machine Learning in Geoscience offers a comprehensive overview of techniques and applications of data science in the geosciences. Sections cover essential, foundational concepts in data cleaning and preprocessing, thus ensuring the quality and reliability of geoscientific data. Next, the book explores dimensionality reduction methods designed to simplify high-dimensional data without losing critical information. The text covers classification and prediction techniques that enable the identification of patterns and forecasting of geological phenomena, and graphical data processing and handling of infinite stream data and time series are highlighted, along with their importance in real-time monitoring and dynamic systems analysis.In addition, the book explores advanced machine learning and deep learning methods, showcasing their transformative impact on geoscientific research. It also introduces knowledge graphs and large language models as emerging tools that enhance data integration, interpretation, and discovery. AI-driven geology is presented as a forward-looking approach that leverages artificial intelligence to revolutionize traditional geological practices, offering improved accuracy and insight. Throughout, practical examples and case studies illustrate how these technologies can be applied to solve complex problems in geoscience.
  • The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes

    • 3rd Edition
    • Costanza Bonadonna + 7 more
    • English
    The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, Third Edition is an updated edition of the PROSE award winning title, which summarizes our present knowledge of volcanoes; it provides a comprehensive source of information on the causes of volcanic eruptions and both the destructive and beneficial effects. This new edition illustrates the best approaches to characterize key aspects of volcanology, demonstrates the importance of volcanology for a sustainable planet, and has been developed by a multi-disciplinary, multi-gender and multi-cultural teams of both editors and authors.The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, Third Edition is a necessary reference for students, academics and professionals in volcanology and Earth science to understand and characterize the effects and role played by volcanoes, much as the previous editions were before it.
  • AI Below the Surface

    Navigating the Deep Ocean with Intelligence
    • 1st Edition
    • Palanichamy Naveen + 2 more
    • English
    AI Below the Surface: Navigating the Deep Ocean with Intelligence provides a comprehensive overview of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is utilized in marine science, marine biology, and oceanography. Through its exploration of advanced AI technologies and their interaction with complex underwater ecosystems, this edited volume offers valuable insights into future applications and trends as well as to ethical considerations and challenges. Comprised of twelve chapters authored by global experts in AI, marine biology, and oceanography, the book caters to students, researchers, and practitioners seeking a deep understanding of AI's impact in these fields.This resource serves as an accessible and indispensable guide, shedding light on the transformative role of AI in marine exploration.
  • EnviroGIS

    Geographic Information Systems in Environmental Analysis
    • 1st Edition
    • Jesús Rodrigo-Comino
    • English
    EnviroGIS: Geographic Information Systems in Environmental Analysis is a comprehensive and timely textbook that provides a foundation for those considering further research in GIS, environmental sciences, or geosciences. It offers a thorough understanding of how to initiate a GIS course in Geosciences, introducing the importance of GIS by taking a step-by-step approach for delineating the study area. This book provides diverse ideas, data, and practical examples for both replication and reference to students, scientists, and lecturers engaging with GIS and environmental science, particularly areas focused on Earth Surface Processes using tools like ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Terrset/Idrissi, Google Earth Engine, R, and Pix4D.In the first part, the textbook delineates the importance of GIS. Moving on, in the second part it focuses on the most relevant topics in environmental analysis. It outlines the preparation of seminars related to changing scales, soil, plant, and catchment dynamic processes, such as erosion and interpolations. Covering topics such as data mining, and connectivity processes, EnviroGIS highlights the way in which Artificial Intelligence enables the creation of accurate forecasts of challenging-to-predi... Earth surface processes. Additionally, the biosphere is delved into to show how GIS courses assess fauna and vegetation within natural or human ecosystems. The final part of the book is centered on specific cases, considering different GIS data formats including shapefiles, multilayer projects, and recent natural hazards or disasters, such as volcanic eruptions or hillslope degradation due to human activities.
  • Geomorphic Impacts of Earthquakes

    Post-Seismic Landscape Evolution
    • 1st Edition
    • Tim Davies + 2 more
    • English
    Geomorphic Impacts of Earthquakes: Post-Seismic Landscape Evolution summarizes the full range of landscape alterations that can result from large earthquakes, ranging from slope instability and river aggradation to prograded coastlines. The book underpins the consequences of major earthquakes, which are increasing as Earth’s population burgeons and climate and anthropogenic effects are ongoing. Although the damage to society that results directly from the shaking and ground rupture in large earthquakes is well known, the consequential effects of seismicity on the landscape causes earth surface deformations and hazards that are only now being fully understood.This book will help readers professionally engaged in the Earth sciences be better prepared to assess the full range of natural hazards that threaten particular locations, and to work out how to evaluate their contribution to societal risks.