Book Reviews New Literature

N e w Literature

Environmental Analysis

Author: Roger N. REEVE

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Chichester 1994. 264 pages,

During recent years the public concern about the environ- ment and man-made pollution has steadily increased. This is due to rapid and unexpected changes in the biosphere and the atmosphere as, for example, represented by the deple- tion of the stratospheric ozone layer and the novel forest de- cline. The major problem connected with our ability to cope with these problems is their recognition, e.g. the detection and analysis of changes in our environment. Environmental Analysis is a textbook for people willing to learn about prin- ciples and applications of entvironmental analysis without the use of conventional educational courses. It is based on the method of open learning and provides the reader with self-assessment questions and in-text references. A small chapter on the technique of open learning provides the rea- der with clearcut insturctions on the use of the book. The book belongs to a series of books on analytical chemistry (ACOL: Analytical Chemistry by Open Learning) which co- ver related topics.

The book claims to give an overview of principles and me- thodologies of analytical chemistry and is intended to pro- vide the reader with basic information for further studies. Hence, it is broken down into chapters covering the topic from definition of the term pollutant, impact of pollutants on the environment, and sampling and analysis of specimens collected in water, solids and the atmosphere. The introduc- tion occupies one fifth of the entire book. It is a well written treatise on the topic and the chapters on sampling and analy- sis facilitate an assessment of this field.

The general arrangement of the book into chapters on aque- ous, solid and gaseous samples is logical, and each chapter is opened by a short introductory passage on specific problems connected to each of the matrices. For sampling and analysis of atmospheric components, for example, the components of the atmosphere are described briefly. Several well designed graphs sketch the difference in the atmospheric concentrations of air pollutants and the normal constituents of the atmophere, show the influence of NO X emissions on the development of photochemical smog events and display a method for calculating pollutant concen- trations.

The problem of sampling and analysis is discussed with short appreciation of single methods, e.g. adsorber-techniques. An- alytic equipment and sampling devices are explained shortly, although the explanations are only of an introductory na- ture. Similarly, the use and functioning of calibration sour- ces is described in brief on only three pages although the re-

soft cover. ISBN 0-471-93833-5

search literature to this problem covers volumes. This brev- ity is due to the fact that the author wants to provide the reader with information on the whole subject: A description of the operation of a peristaltic pump is presented as well as the functioning of a mass spectrometer or a particle im- pactor. Special textbooks are required, however, to gain in- sight into specific analytic methodology and equipment.

The chapters on analysis of solid samples and water are or- ganized in a similar manner. Matrix specific properties how- ever, require some additional information as is provided in the chapter on solid samples since the author has to deal with pollutants in animal and plant tissue, soils and partic- les. The book closes with a chapter on ultra trace pollutant analysis at concentrations below 1 ng kg -1. Here the author provides the reader with a typical analysis scheme. A de- scription of SI-units and their application is included.

Each of the chapters contains self-assessment questions and is followed by answers to these questions. Open learning im- plies that the reader may answer these question and decide whether he will proceed with reading or re-read the chapter for better understanding. The answers given in the book, however, are not always satisfactory, especially when complex phenomena require longer answers by the reader. The inclusion of key words would be helpful here.

Environmental Analysis provides the reader with basic know- ledge of analytical chemistry. However, it is by no means a book that would be able to substitute classical textbooks. As a dictionary, it may provide brief introductory informa- tion, but it is necessary to stick to the reference list for fur- ther studies and to find additional background information. Interested students might find the book suitable to increase their general knowledge of entvironmental analysis, and new- comers to the field of chemistry may gain insight into the principles of a fascinating topic of great interest.

Dr. Peter SCHRODER

Dipl. Biol. Stephan PFLUGMACHER Institut fiir Biochemische Pflanzenpathologie

GSF-Forschungszentrum Rir Umwelt und Gesundheit Neuherberg

D-85758 Oberschleil~heim Germany

122 ESPR- Environ. Sci. & Pollut. Res. 2 (2) 122 (1995) �9 ecomed publishers, D-86899 Landsberg, Germany

New Literature Book Reviews

N e w Literature

Arsenic in the Environment

Part I: Cycling and Charac ter iza t ion Part II: H u m a n Heal th and Ecosys tem Effects

Series Editor: Jerome O. NRIAGU

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Chichester 1994. ISBN 0-471-57929-7 (Part I) and 0-471-30436-0 (Part II)

The notoriety and lingering concern about the potential ef- fects of arsenic on various fauna and flora has inevitably en- gendered a great deal of research on the many facets of this element in the environment.

Arsenic still plays an important role in wood preservation, the cotton industry, electronics, especially in photocopying and high-speed computerization, and in livestock and poul- try farming.

The comprehensive and up-to-date investigation of this sub- stance, Arsenic in the Environment, is collected in a com- prehensive two-volume work that represents an attempt to bring together the key research results from the biological, chemical, geological, and clinical studies under one cover.

Chapters in Part I (volume 26) focus on the sources, distri- bution, biotransformation, "speciation", and fate of arsenic, especially in soils and the aquatic environment. Part II (vol- ume 27) covers the human health and ecosystem effects of arsenic. The 30 chapters have been written by leading ex- perts in their fields.

These two volumes should be of great interest to botth grad- uate students and practicing scientists in the fields of envi- ronmental control.

Dr.-Ing. Dieter O. REIMANN Mfillheizkraftwerk Bamberg

D-96052 Bamberg Germany

Toxic Metals in Soil-Plant Systems

Editor: Sheila M. Ross Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Chichester 1994. 469 pages. ISBN 0-471-94279-0

The stated aim of this book is to describe and discuss the processes of trace metal cycling in different contaminated eco- systems under conditions where their concentrations become toxic, treating the soil-plant system as a whole. The text is divided into an initial section in which key compartments of the soil-plant system are reviewed in detail, and a second section containing case studies from different environments and ecosystems. Section 1 is written largely by the editor, which serves to provide a solid, focussed setting for the case studies. There is considerable research interest, at present, in two topics in the toxic metals field. These are the poten- tial effects of heavy metals on soil microbes and microbially- mediated processes relating to soil fertility, and aspects of plant metal uptake that relate to possible land reclamation and decontamination - namely metal tolerance and hyper- accumulation. Both areas receive detailed attention here.

I found this to be an excellent book, It is extremely thorough and well presented and the topics blend together coherently and logically. It clearly benefits from strong editing. This is

probably helped by the fact that 13 of the 17 authors are from one country (the UK), where there is a strong scienti- fic community and tradition of research on metals in soils and plants. The case studies are thorough and the book is well referenced throughout.

As workers in the field will know, there are already a num- ber of texts dealing with heavy metals in soils and plants. However, this book is one of the best and should be added to the book shelf.

Prof. Kevin C. JONES Institute of Environmental and

Biological Sciences Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YQ

U.K.

ESPR-Environ. Sci. & Pollut. Res. 2 (2) 123 (1995) �9 ecomed publishers, D-86899 Landsberg, Germany

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