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Elsevier

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.

  • Gemmology

    • 1st Edition
    • P. G. Read
    • English
    Gemmology is a text for students preparing for the Gemmological Association's Preliminary and Diploma examinations. The book is more expansive and up-to-date than the author's earlier book, Beginner's Guide to Gemmology. The book deals with the practical and theoretical sides of gemmology. Tracing the background and science of gemmology, the book covers the gem material, geological formation, and occurrence of gemstones on the earth. The composition of gemstones from the atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds comprising them is analyzed, and the relationship between chemical composition and durability of the stone is explained. The basics of crystallography is mentioned as a tool toward understanding gemmology after which cleavage, parting, and fracture are done. A gemstone's durability and hardness and how the latter influences engineering tests and the mining techniques are compared. An important test technique to identify unmounted stones is the measure of specific gravity using displacement measurement methods and hydrostatic methods. After more descriptive details are given in identification of gemstones, whether these are synthetic or simulants, through a comprehensive explanation of the materials found in these other gemstones, the fashioning, through shaping or polishing, of gemstones is explained. Emphasis is given on the critical angle in which light rays pass in different rock densities, and then the cutting styles, gemstone polishing, and grading are discussed. Students studying for the Gemmological Association's Preliminary and Diploma examinations, jewelers, lapidarists, and diamond cutters, as well as those engaged in the hobby of gemmology, will find this book helpful and full of information toward their endeavors and hobbies.

  • Ocean Circulation and Climate

    A 21st Century Perspective
    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 103
    • English
    The book represents all the knowledge we currently have on ocean circulation. It presents an up-to-date summary of the state of the science relating to the role of the oceans in the physical climate system. The book is structured to guide the reader through the wide range of world ocean circulation experiment (WOCE) science in a consistent way. Cross-references between contributors have been added, and the book has a comprehensive index and unified reference list. The book is simple to read, at the undergraduate level. It was written by the best scientists in the world who have collaborated to carry out years of experiments to better understand ocean circulation.

  • Air Pollution

    The Commonwealth and International Library: Meteorology Division
    • 1st Edition
    • R. S. Scorer
    • R. S. Scorer
    • English
    Air Pollution describes the basic mechanisms of how air pollution is transported and diffused in the atmosphere. The book discusses topics on pollution over flat country, formula and mechanisms of dilution; high level, ground and valley inversions; thermal, mechanical, and optical effects which influence air pollution; flow which leaves a solid surface or separation; and the effects and repercussions of air pollution. Physicists, meteorologists, environmentalists, and researchers will find the book insightful.

  • Physical Characteristics of Soils, Plasticity, Settlement Calculations, Interpretation of In-Situ Tests

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume I
    • English
    Practical Problems in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, 1: Physical Characteristics of Soils, Plasticity, Settlement Calculations, Interpretation of In-Situ Tests presents the analysis and calculation procedures for the solution of geotechnical problems. The book contains example problems with detailed step-by-step solutions. The text emphasizes the application of theoretical soil mechanics to geotechnical engineering. Chapters provide example problems and solutions on the physical characteristics of soil, water in the soil, settlement calculations, plasticity and shear strength, plastic equilibrium, and interpretation of in-situ tests. Civil engineers and civil engineering students will find the book highly useful.

  • Recent Crustal Movements, 1982

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 20
    • P. Vyskocil + 2 more
    • English
    Developments in Geotectonics, Volume 20: Recent Crustal Movements, 1982 presents the proceedings of the 3rd Symposium on Recent Crustal Movements and Phenomena Associated with Earthquakes and Volcanism, held in Tokyo, Japan on May 12–13, 1982. This book presents the results in crustal movement studies at a local or regional scale. Organized into four parts encompassing 45 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the gravimetric research carried out in various locations in Maracaibo Basin Area. This text then evaluates the reliability of the leveling measurements using modified geodetic checks as well as through comparison with independent measurements of crustal movement. Other chapters consider the basis of geodetic strain analysis. This book discusses as well the first-order geodetic measurements in seismically active areas in southern and southwestern Australia. The final chapter deals with the correlation of the data of relevelling with surface relief. This book is a valuable resource for engineers and geologists.

  • Freshwater Ecosystems

    Modelling and Simulation
    • 1st Edition
    • A.H. Gnauck + 1 more
    • English
    Ecosystem analysis and ecological modelling is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary branch of science used in theoretical developments in ecology and having practical applications in environmental protection. In this book, the authors introduce new holistic, particularly cybernetic, concepts into ecosystem theory and modelling, and provide a concise treatment of mathematical modelling of freshwater ecosystems which covers methods, subsystem models, applications and theoretical developments.Part I begins with a brief introduction to the principles of systems theory and their applications to ecosystems, and provides a summary of various methods of systems analysis. In Part II emphasis is laid on the pelagic processes in standing water, characterised by relatively uninvolved structures from which models can be readily developed. Part III describes applications of the technique of modelling to solutions of theoretical and practical problems, with different modelling methods and objectives being used in the various chapters. More recent developments in the methods and theory of ecosystem modelling are covered in Part IV which also includes a discussion of future trends. The book is addressed to practising ecologists and engineers in the fields of ecology, limnology, environmental protection, and water quality managements, as well as to graduate/post-gradua... university students in science and engineering. Students and researchers involved in environmental applications of mathematics and cybernetics will also find the book of interest.

  • Karst Bauxites

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 14
    • G. Bárdossy
    • English
    Karst Bauxites: Bauxite Deposits on Carbonate Rocks presents a comparison of bauxite regions using mathematical statistics methods. This book is divided into eight chapters that highlight the quantitative processing and assessment of the information available for bauxites. The opening chapters present observational and analytical evidence concerning karst bauxite, with particular emphasis on Hungarian bauxite deposits. The typical features of bauxites are analyzed from a variety of aspects and results from different bauxite regions are compared. Other chapters consider the feature of metamorphosed karst bauxites. The remaining chapters discuss the conditions of formation of karst bauxites and with the factors controlling their geographic and stratigraphic distribution. This book will prove useful to geologists, mineralogists, and researchers.

  • Paleotemperature Analysis

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 2
    • Robert Bowen
    • English
    Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics, 2: Paleotemperature Analysis focuses on the paleotemperature-ana... method, including the use of oxygen isotopes in carbonate analysis and in advancing knowledge on paleoclimates. The manuscript first offers information on the isotopes of oxygen as climatic indicators and sampling of fossil organisms, as well as oxygen and paleotemperatures, belemnoidea, and other fossils. The book also ponders on chemical techniques and mass spectrometric methods. Discussions focus on thermal and acid decomposition of carbonates, slow formation of carbonate solids, precipitation of carbonate, and mass spectrometry. The text examines paleotemperature scales and magnesium and strontium concentrations. Topics include salinity, standards, magnesium and strontium contents, history of sea water, and Mccrea's carbonate paleotemperature scale. The publication also takes a look at paleozoic, Jurassic, cretaceous, and tertiary and Pleistocene paleotemperatures. The publication is a dependable reference for readers interested in paleotemperatures.

  • Thematic Mapping From Satellite Imagery: A Guidebook

    • 1st Edition
    • J. Denègre
    • English
    Thematic Mapping from Satellite Imagery: A Guidebook discusses methods in producing maps using satellite images. The book is comprised of five chapters; each chapter covers one stage of the process. Chapter 1 tackles the satellite remote sensing imaging and its cartographic significance. Chapter 2 discusses the production processes for extracting information from satellite data. The next chapter covers the methods for combining satellite-derived information with that obtained from conventional sources. Chapter 4 deals with design and semiology for cartographic representation, and Chapter 5 presents examples of applications. The book will be of great use to cartographers who want to utilize satellite imaging in generating a map.

  • Geographic Information Systems

    The Microcomputer and Modern Cartography
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 1
    • D.R. Fraser Taylor
    • English
    Technological changes are revolutionising cartography and there is a growing convergence between geographic information systems and computer assisted cartography. This book describes in detail the relationship between geographic information systems and modern cartography and considers all aspects from data collection to presentation and applications. Written by some of the world's leading cartographers, the book examines the emergence of electronic mapping systems and stresses both analysis and visualisation.

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