Sedimentology and pedology Books

Book SynopsisDeals with the major terrestrial, algal, and siliceous indicators used in paleolimnology. This title is of interest to seasoned practitioners as well as newcomers to the area of paleolimnology.Trade Review"Volume 3 will be of particular interest to paleolimnologists approaching the subject from the biological or limnological standpoint; some of the most important indicators used by paleolimnologists including pollen analysis, plant macrofossils, charcoal, diatoms, chrysophytes, phytoliths, biogenic silica and pigments. These chapters will become essential citations in the methods sections of future papers." (Philip Barker, Dept. of Geography, Institute of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Lancaster University, UK in Journal of Paleolimnology, 30:4)Table of ContentsPreface. The Editors. Aims & Scope of Developments in Paleoenvironmental Research Book Series. Editors and Board of Advisors of Developments in Paleoenvironmental Research Book Series. Contents of Volumes 1 to 4. Safety Considerations and Caution. Dedication. List of Contributors. 1. Using biology to study long-term environmental change; J.P. Smol, et al. 2. Pollen; K.D. Bennett, K.J. Willis. 3. Conifer stomata; G.M. MacDonald. 4. Plant macrofossils; H.H. Birks. 5. Charcoal as a fire proxy; C. Whitlock, C.P.S. Larsen. 6. Non-pollen palynomorphs; B. van Geel. 7. Protozoa: testate amoebae; L. Beyens, R. Meisterfeld. 8. Diatoms; R.W. Battarbee, et al. 9. Chrysophyte scales and cysts; B.A. Zeeb, J.P. Smol. 10. Ebridians; A. Korhola, J.P. Smol. 11. Phytoliths; D.R. Piperno. 12. Freshwater sponges; T.M. Frost. 13. Siliceous protozoan plates and scales; M.S.V. Douglas, J.P. Smol. 14. Biogenic silica; D.J. Conley, C.L. Schelske. 15. Sedimentary pigments; P.R. Leavitt, D.A. Hodgson. Glossary, Acronyms and Abbreviations. Subject Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe oldest records of modem human culture are the vivid cave paintings from southern France and northern Spain, which are in some cases more than 30,000 years old (Chauvet, et ai, 1996).Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "This is the first book to deal specifically with cave sediments and so is an important resource for people conducting research in caves, e.g. geoscientists, speleologists and archaeologists. The book includes a range of cave sites, applicable techniques with in-depth reviews and several case studies to provide an excellent tool for those already involved in cave research and those interested in venturing into cave-sediment studies." (Mark Stephens, Journal of Sedimentary Research, Vol 75, 2005) "The dual nature of the subject and the wide range of topics and analytical approaches might give the superficial impression of a heterogeneous group of papers cobbled together into a book. On the contrary, these topics are well integrated into a fairly coherent picture. Even the local studies provide wide-ranging concepts." (Arthur N. Palmer, and Margaret v. Palmer, Journal of Cave and Karst Sediments, Vol 67, no. 2, p. 140-141) "This book aims to provide a comprehensive treatment of cave deposits, with a particular focus on the palaeoclimate record they hold. … covering key aspects of both clastic sediments and precipitates from many karst regions around the globe. … this book serves well as an account of the state-of-art in the study of cave sediments and their value in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. … it is likely to be of great interest to higher-level undergraduates, postgraduates and academics … ." (Stefan H. Doerr, The Holocene, Issue 15, 2005) "Cave sediments studies pose multiple problems, both with the difficult access to many underground sites and also with the correlation of the cave record with surface events … . The subject is often over-looked by hard-line surface investigators, but this book should help promote and develop this databank of geological history. … This book is attractively presented … . Its contents should be compulsory reading for anyone researching Quaternary chronology and palaeo-environments. The volume should also be read by a much wider audience … ." (Tony Waltham, Geological Magazine, Vol. 124 (4), 2005)Table of Contents1. LITHOFACIES AND TRANSPORT OF CLASTIC SEDIMENTS IN KARSTIC AQUIFERS.- 2. SEDIMENT AND SEDIMENT-ASSOCIATED CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT THROUGH KARST.- 3. PALAEOMAGNETIC ANALYSIS OF SEDIMENTS ON THE BUCHAN CAVES, SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA, PROVIDES A PRE-LATE PLEISTOCENE DATE FOR LANDSCAPE AND CLIMATE EVOLUTION.- 4. PALEOMAGNETIC ANALYSIS OF A LONG-TERM SEDIMENT TRAP, KOOKEN CAVE, HUNTINGDON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, USA.- 5. PROVENANCE OF SUSPENDED SEDIMENT DISCHARGED FROM A KARST AQUIFER DETERMINED BY CLAY MINERALOGY.- 6. READING VIRGINIA’S PALEOCLIMATE FROM THE GEOCHEMISTRY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY OF CLASTIC CAVE SEDIMENTS.- 7. GLACIALLY-INFLUENCED SEDIMENT CYCLES IN THE LIME CREEK KARST, EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO.- 8. CAVE SEDIMENTS AND DENUDED CAVERNS IN THE LASKI RAVNIK, CLASSICAL KARST OF SLOVENIA.- 9. PALEOCLIMATE RECORDS FROM SPELEOTHEMS IN LIMESTONE CAVES.- 10. URANIUM-SERIES DATING OF SPELEOTHEMS: CURRENT TECHNIQUES, LIMITS, & APPLICATIONS.- 11. PALEOCLIMATE INFORMATION FROM SPELEOTHEMS: THE PRESENT AS A GUIDE TO THE PAST.- 12. INFLUENCE OF DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT ON DEVIL’S HOLE CALCITE MORPHOLOGY AND PETROLOGY.- 13. SPELEOTHEMS FROM THE HIGH-ALPINE SPANNAGEL CAVE, ZILLERTAL ALPS (AUSTRIA).- 14. ISOTOPE STAGE 11, THE “SUPER-INTERGLACIAL”, FROM A NORTH NORWEGIAN SPELEOTHEM.- 15. ESTABLISHING A SPELEOTHEM CHRONOLOGY FOR SOUTHWESTERN OREGON — CLIMATIC CONTROLS AND GROWTH MODELLING.- 16. SILICATES IN CARBONATE SPELEOTHEMS, GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO, U.S.A.- 17. RELIQUIAE DILUVIANAE ALTER: LAST INTERGLACIAL FLOOD DEPOSITS IN THE CAVES OF THE WEST INDIES.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis open access atlas is an up-to-date visual resource on the features and structures observed in soil thin sections, i.e. soil micromorphology. The book addresses the growing interest in soil micromorphology in the fields of soil science, earth science, archaeology and forensic science, and serves as a reference tool for researchers and students for fast learning and intuitive feature and structure recognition. The book is divided into six parts and contains hundreds of images and photomicrographs. Part one is devoted to the way to sample properly soils, the method of preparation of thin sections, the main tool of soil micromorphology (the microscope), and the approach of soil micromorphology as a scientific method. Part two focuses on the organisation of soil fragments and presents the concept of fabric. Part three addresses the basic components, e.g. rocks, minerals, organic compounds and anthropogenic features. Part four lists all the various types of pedogenic features observed in a soil, i.e. the imprint of pedogenesis. Part five gives interpretations of features associated with the main processes at work in soils and paleosols. Part six presents a view of what the future of soil micromorphology could be. Finally, the last part consists of the index and annexes, including the list of mineral formulas. This atlas will be of interest to researchers, academics, and students, who will find it a convenient tool for the self-teaching of soil micromorphology by using comparative photographs.Table of ContentsChapter 1. The multiscalar nature of soils.- Chapter 2. History of micromorphology.- Chapter 3. Observation and sampling of soils.- Chapter 4. How to make thin sections.- Chapter 5.The polarised light microscope.- Chapter 6. Other techniques of observation.- Chapter 7. Electron and energy imaging.- Chapter 8. Colours of minerals.- Chapter 9. The micromorphological approach.- Chapter 10. Concept of fabric.- Chapter 11. Multiscalar approach to fabric.- Chapter 12. Basic distribution patterns.- Chapter 13. c/f related distributions I.- Chapter 14. c/f related distributions II.- Chapter 15. Aggregates and aggregation.- Chapter 16. Degree of separation and accommodation of aggregates.- Chapter 17. The nature of voids.- Chapter 18. Morphology of voids I.- Chapter 19. The morphology of voids II.- Chapter 20. Microstructure I.- Chapter 21. Microstructure II.- Chapter 22. Mineral and organic constituents.- Chapter 23. Particle size and sorting.- Chapter 24. Shape of grains: equidimensionality.- Chapter 25. Shape of grains: roundness and sphericity.- Chapter 26. Basalt, granite, and gabbro.- Chapter 27. Schist, gneiss, and amphibolite.- Chapter 28. Quartzite and marble.- Chapter 29. Calcium-bearing sedimentary rocks.- Chapter 30. Sand and sandstone.- Chapter 31. Mineral grains in the soil I: quartz and chalcedony.- Chapter 32. Mineral grains in the soil II: feldspar and mica.- Chapter 33. Mineral grains in the soil III: inosilicates and nesosilicates.- Chapter 34. Mineral grains in the soil IV: carbonates.- Chapter 35. Mineral grains in the soil V: chlorides and sulfates.- Chapter 36. Biominerals I.- Chapter 37. Biominerals II.- Chapter 38. Biominerals III.- Chapter 39. Anthropogenic features I.- Chapter 40. Anthropogenic features II.- Chapter 41. Organic matter I.- Chapter 42. Organic matter II.- Chapter 43. Humus.- Chapter 44. Micromass.- Chapter 45. B-fabric I.- Chapter 46. B-fabric II.- Chapter 47. Imprints of pedogenesis.- Chapter 48. Iron- and manganese-bearing nodules.- Chapter 49. Carbonate nodules.- Chapter 50. Polygenetic nodules.- Chapter 51. Nodules: morphology and border shape.- Chapter 52. Nodules: orthic, anorthic, disorthic.- Chapter 53. Crystals and crystal intergrowths.- Chapter 54. Impregnations.- Chapter 55. Depletions.- Chapter 56. Coatings with clays I.- Chapter 57. Coatings with clays II.- Chapter 58. Micropans, coarse coatings, cappings, and crusts.- Chapter 59. Hypocoatings and quasicoatings: amorphous.- Chapter 60. Coatings and hypocoatings: crystalline.- Chapter 61. Mineral infillings.- Chapter 62. Mineral infillings of biological origin.- Chapter 63. Pedoturbations.- Chapter 64. Faecal pellets.- Chapter 65. Dung and vertebrate excrements.- Chapter 66. Composite pedogenic features.- Chapter 67. Uncommon features.- Chapter 68. Pedofeatures and soil processes.- Chapter 69. Clay dynamics I - Translocation.- Chapter 70. Clay dynamics II - Swelling.- Chapter 71. Water dynamics..- Chapter 72. Carbonate and gypsum dynamics.- Chapter 73. Processes involving iron oxyhydroxides.- Chapter 74. Biogeochemical processes I.- Chapter 75. Biogeochemical processes II.- Chapter 76. The future of soil micromorphology.- Chapter 77. Beyond the two dimensions.- Chapter 78. The prospect of chemical imaging

Read more less

Book SynopsisChapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Hydrodynamic Principles.- Chapter 3. Turbulence in Open-Channel Flows.- Chapter 4. Sediment Threshold.- Chapter 5. Bedload Transport.- Chapter 6. Suspended-Load Transport.- Chapter 7. Total-Load Transport.- Chapter 8. Bedforms.- Chapter 9. River Processes: Meandering and Braiding.- Chapter 10. Scour.- Chapter 11. Dimensional Analysis and Similitude.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe push-pull test is a powerful site characterization technique that has been applied to a wide range of problems in contaminant hydrogeology. The theoretical and practical apsects of push-pull testing were initially developed to characterize groundwater acquifers but the method has now been extended to saturated and unsaturated soils and sediments as well as to surface water bodies. Dr. Istok and his collaborators have been instrumental in the development of these techniques and he is widely recognized as the world's leading expert push-pull testing. This is the only reference book available on this powerful method.Table of ContentsPush-pull tests.- Setting up a site.- Evaluation of site.- Improvement of site.- Long-term prognosis.- The shape of things to come.- Analysis.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOffers an integrated presentation of the microbial, agronomic and recycling aspects of soil faunal potentials, emphasizing agricultural ecosystems and furnishing methods for modelling food webs. The text covers morphology, reproduction, abundances, basic requirements, competition, predation, parasitism, nutrient cycling and phytopathological interactions, soil physics and agricultural management, plus methods to quantify soil faunal groups.Table of ContentsOrganic inputs and soil metabolism; protozoa - recyclers and indicators of agroecosystem quality; nematodes - harmful and beneficial organisms; enchytraeids; earthworms (lumbricidae - oligochaeta) - important promoters of soil development and soil fertility; springtails and mites - important knots in the food web of soils; gastropods, isopods, diplopods and chilopods - neglected groups of the decomposer food web; spiders, carabids and staphylinids - the ecological potential of predatory macroarthropods; soil-food web interactions and their modelling.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhile organic soils have the potential to contribute greatly to agricultural production, the irreversible processes that occur from draining organic soils need to be managed with caution. The wise use of peatlands must include the avoidance of unacceptable ecological effects on the contiguous and global environment. Organic Soils and Peat Materials for Sustainable Agriculture provides detailed information from a worldwide perspective on the degradation process of fragile peat resources used for agriculture. It documents the best management practices and defines and quantifies soil quality indicators and pedo-transfer functions for organic soils and peat materials.Co-published with the International Peat Society, this reference is the first to integrate the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of organic soils and peat materials for sustainable agriculture and horticulture. It details the principles and indicators behind positive action in sustainable management. The book presents a complete analysis of how peat works chemically, physically, and ecologically. It quantifies the moorsh-forming, or peat degradation, process in tables and figures, provides conversion equations among pH determination methods, and supplies a novel diagnosis of N and P release. In addition, the book revisits water, pesticides, phosphorus, and copper sorption characteristics of organic soils.The authors provide up-to-date information in order to define quality indicators for the optimum use of organic soils. With detailed information and a global perspective, Organic Soils and Peat Materials for Sustainable Agriculture aims to promote a shift from the current paradigm of input-based unsustainable use to a new knowledge-based approach.Table of ContentsThe Moorsh or Muck Horizons as Quality Indicators of Reclaimed Organic Soils. Irreversible Loss of Organic Soil Functions after Reclamation. Water-Related Physical Attributes of Organic Soils. Quality of Peat Substrates for Plants Grown in Containers. Soil Acidity Determination Methods for Organic Soils and Peat Materials. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Balance Indicators in Organic Soils. Retention of Copper in Cu-Enriched Organic Soils. Fate of Pesticides in Organic Soils. Quality of Organic Soils for Agriculture Use of Cutover Peatlands in Russia. Agriculture Production Systems for Organic Soil Conservation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe pneumatic flow mixing method was developed to stabilize dredged soil and surplus soil for promoting their beneficial use in 1999. The pneumatic flow mixing method is a new type of the ex-situ cement stabilization techniques, in which dredged soil and surplus soil is mixed with a relatively small amount of chemical binder without any mixing paddles and blades in a pipeline. When a relatively large amount of compressed air is injected into the pipeline, soil can be separated into small blocks. When binder is injected into the pipeline, the soil block and binder are thoroughly mixed by means of turbulent flow generated in the soil block during transporting. As this method has many benefits - rapid and large scale execution can be conducted with low cost - it has been applied to many land reclamation projects, backfilling behind earth retaining wall projects and shallow stabilization projects using dredged soils and surplus soils.The Pneumatic Flow Mixing Method is a usTable of Contents1. An overview of Admixture Stabilization – Evolution of Pneumatic Flow Mixing and Scope of the Book1 Introduction2 Cement admixture stabilization techniques3 Development, mechanism and applications of the Pneumatic Flow Mixing method 4 Scope of the textbook2. Factors Affecting Strength Increase1 Introduction2 Mechanism of cement stabilization3 Influence of various factors on stabilization effect4 Prediction of strength3. Engineering Properties of Stabilized Soils1 Introduction 2 Properties of stabilized soil mixture before hardening3 Properties of stabilized soil after hardening4 Properties of stabilized soil subjected to disturbance/compaction5 Engineering properties of cement stabilized soil produced in-situ6 Summary 4. Applications1 Introduction2 Improvement purposes and applications3 Selected case histories of the method in Japan 5. Equipment, Construction, and Quality Control and Assurance1 Introduction2 Equipment3 Construction procedure 4 Quality control6. Geotechnical Design of Stabilized Soil Ground1 Introduction2 Design strength 3 Geotechnical designAPPENDIX A Japanese Laboratory Mix Test Procedure1 Introduction2 Testing equipment3 Making and curing of specimens4 Report5 Use of Specimens

Read more less

Book SynopsisSeed conditioning is the final process that establishes the quality of a seed lot and determines its value. It is a complex process involving a significant series of machines, each of which must be used in the proper sequence of the entire process, and each machine must be carefully and properly adjusted and set up for each lot of seed. If the conditioning plant operator does not have sufficient knowledge of how to set up and adjust each of the machines, then an excessive amount of good seed is lost during conditioning and not all undesirable materials are removed. Therefore, the performance of seed conditioning depends entirely on how effectively the operator sets up and adjusts the machines. Much effort has been spent in developing seed technology so as to produce high quality seed, but performance of seed conditioning by maximizing the operatorâs knowledge of getting the best performance from each of his machines has not been carefully and completely developed. Improving Seed Conditioning focuses on teaching the conditioning plant operator details of each machine and how to get maximum performance from it in terms of operating efficiency, maximum removal of undesirable particles, and minimum loss of good seed. Organized in a manner that focuses on the specific machine models installed in each operatorâs specific plant, this manual is set up to be used as text material in training classes or as a guide for operators employed by seed companies. Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentIntroductionChapter 1 What seed conditioning is and doesChapter 2 Seed conditioning plant staff and contract growersChapter 3 Seed conditioning plant locationChapter 4 Seed conditioning plant areaChapter 5 Essential utilitiesChapter 6 Conditioning plant facilitiesChapter 7 Raw (nonconditioned) seedChapter 8 Moving raw seed into conditioningChapter 9 ConditioningChapter 10 Support operationsChapter 11 Seed conditioning principlesChapter 12 Waste productsChapter 13 Sanitation and pest/insect controlChapter 14 Conditioning equipment layoutChapter 15 Receiving pitChapter 16 Bucket elevator characteristicsChapter 17 Bucket elevator operationChapter 18 Vibrating conveyor characteristicsChapter 19 Vibrating conveyor operationChapter 20 Horizontal belt conveyor characteristicsChapter 21 Horizontal belt conveyor operationChapter 22 Inclined belt conveyor characteristicsChapter 23 Inclined belt conveyor operationChapter 24 Drag chain conveyor characteristicsChapter 25 Drag chain conveyor operationChapter 26 Airlift elevator characteristicsChapter 27 Airlift elevator operationChapter 28 Ear corn conveyor characteristicsChapter 29 Ear corn conveyor operationChapter 30 Corn (maize) sheller characteristicsChapter 31 Corn sheller operationChapter 32 Scalper (precleaner) characteristicsChapter 33 Scalper operationChapter 34 Debearder characteristicsChapter 35 Debearder operationChapter 36 Huller-scarifier characteristicsChapter 37 Huller-scarifier operationChapter 38 Air-screen cleaner characteristicsChapter 39 ScreensChapter 40 Screen selectionChapter 41 Air-screen cleaner operationChapter 42 Cylinder separator characteristicsChapter 43 CylindersChapter 44 Cylinder separator operationChapter 45 Disc separator characteristicsChapter 46 DiscsChapter 47 Disc separator operationChapter 48 Gravity separator characteristicsChapter 49 Gravity separator operationChapter 50 Stoner characteristicsChapter 51 Stoner operationChapter 52 Pneumatic separator characteristicsChapter 53 Pneumatic separator operationChapter 54 Aspirator characteristicsChapter 55 Aspirator operationChapter 56 Spiral separator characteristicsChapter 57 Spiral separator operationChapter 58 Width and thickness separator characteristicsChapter 59 Width and thickness separator operationChapter 60 Roll mill characteristicsChapter 61 Roll mill operationChapter 62 Color separator characteristicsChapter 63 Color separator operationChapter 64 Magnetic separator characteristicsChapter 65 Magnetic separator operationChapter 66 Electrostatic separator characteristicsChapter 67 Electrostatic separator operation Chapter 68 Seed treater characteristicsChapter 69 Seed treater operationChapter 70 Bagger-weigher characteristicsChapter 71 Bagger-weigher operationChapter 72 Bag closer characteristicsChapter 73 Bag closer operationChapter 74 Determining seed conditioning requirementsChapter 75 Determining conditioning requirements for a specific separation problemChapter 76 Determining sequence to set up, adjust, and operate conditioning machinesChapter 77 Selected machine adjustment sequenceChapter 78 Special packaging machinesCompletion of the study programCertificate of Master Seed Conditioner

Read more less