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Climate—Biosphere interactions: Biogenic emissions and environmental effects of climate change
Environmental Pollution 88 (1995) 365-366 © 1995 Elsevier Science Limited Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved
ELSEVIER
BOOK REVIEWS
Air Pollution by Photochemical Oxidants. By I. Colbeck
thoroughly in Chapter 4, which includes comparisons of the very different situations prevailing in different locations and the uncertainty of current models. Chapter 5 discusses the techniques of measurement of oxidants and their precursors and I am delighted that the authors note the value of simple wet chemical methods for use in low cost networks--a matter of increasing importance in view of the evidence for serious oxidant problems in developing countries. The next chapter contains a valuable collation of oxidant monitoring data, with some consideration given to the difficult problem of identifying trends in such temporally variable pollutants; surprisingly, the different ozone climates recorded at high altitudes are not really addressed. Chapter 7 covers environmental effects, considering (briefly) materials, human health and vegetation. It is most disappointing that the outcome of the recently completed EC-sponsored studies on ozone effect on vegetation are not mentioned, nor the European approach to cumulative dose above a threshold in formulating air quality standards. The chapter ends with a section on biomonitoring, whose significance here is not entirely clear. The final chapter is concerned with control strategies. Again I would like to have seen much greater emphasis on this section, particularly with respect to the research on oxidant chemistry covered earlier in the book which is vital in formulating control strategies. While the activities of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe are mentioned with respect to transboundary on pollution issues, there is a glaring omission in the failure to describe the 'critical levels' approach favoured by this organisation, despite air quality standards and guidelines of other bodies being included. Overall, I have mixed feelings about this publication. Its greatest strength lies in the extensive coverage of the literature, at least in terms of the physical and chemical aspects of oxidants. My main concern is its imbalance, as well as the absence of an index and the large number of typographical errors in the camera-ready copy which is not acceptable in a book of this price
& A. R, Mackenzie, Air Quality Monographs. Volume 1. Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, 1994, ISBN 0-44488542-0, 388 pp. Price: Dr. 300.00. There has never been a greater interest in the subject matter of this book, with growing concern in many parts of the world over the effects of photochemical oxidants on health, ecosystems, agriculture and materials as well as their role in the formation of other secondary forms of air pollution, notably those resulting in 'acid rain'. Thus it was with anticipation that I opened the covers of this book, expecting a comprehensive and authoritative treatment of the subject from both interand multi-disciplinary perspectives. In the event I must admit a certain degree of disappointment, in that it is strongly biased towards the chemistry of photo-oxidant formation. Perhaps this should be expected in view of the credentials of the authors, but I feel that the consideration of environmental effects deserves somewhat more than 15 pages of text, starting at page 327. Ultimately the practical interest in the subject lies in its role in producing adverse environmental impacts, other aspects being aimed at ameliorating these by improving understanding of the physical and chemical processes underlying oxidants formation and their control. The first chapter is a pleasure to read, covering the history of ozone studies in the 19th century, highlighting the fascination of many contemporary scientists with this newly discovered molecule. Of more practical significance is the use of early monitoring studies to provide a base-line for estimates of rising tropospheric ozone levels in Europe. Chapter 2 is mainly a series of tables covering the physical and chemical properties of a range of oxidants and associated compounds, with some toxicological data. The next chapter covers sources and emissions of oxidant precursors, emphasising the importance of both natural and anthropogenic sources. Somewhat oddly it commences with a consideration of microbial methane production despite the previous chapter noting the relatively minor importance of this gas in oxidant production, followed by nitrogen oxides from microbial sources, biogenic non-methane hydrocarbons, biomass combustion emissions, and fossil fuel emissions. It ends with a section on inventories of precursors, which highlights the problems of a poor understanding of hydrocarbons in this respect, thus hindering effective control strategies. My concerns over the balance of the book are heightened by the dismissal of the important subject of deposition processes by a mere six page appendix to the chapter. The atmospheric chemistry of oxidants is covered
J. N. B. Bell
Climate--Biosphere Interactions: Biogenic Emissions and Environmental Effects of Climate Change. Edited by Richard G. Zepp. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1994, ISBN 0-471-58932-2, 303 pp. Price: £91.00. Climate change is one of the hot topics both in science and politics, and the amount of new publications may be called overwhelming. Climate--Biosphere Interactions 365
366
Book reviews
edited by R. G. Zepp, which continues the John Wiley & Sons Environmental Science and Technology Series, is another book dealing with global climate change, however, it is covering some yet under-represented topics. The title is somewhat misleading or at least incomplete, since major attention is paid to climate change in China--eight of 17 chapters are dealing with particular situations in China. Thirty-one different authors have contributed to the book, the chapters of which may be divided into five groups: climate observation and/or modelling and environmental effects (four chapters); methane emission from rice paddies (three chapters); trace gas emission from (tropical) deforestation and from biomass burning (three chapters); effects of climate change on agriculture (two chapters), and 'others' (five chapters). 'Others' includes a description of the Chinese Ecological Research Network, a chapter on solar radiation effects on organic matter cycling, a description of a model of soil biogeochemistry, a short, more general review on trends in trace gas concentrations and their effects on ecosystems, and a summary of current projects and future research recommendations between the US Department of Energy and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Thus, the book covers quite a wide range of different topics concerning climate change. It is not a book of a piece, rather, the particular contributions vary in their
actuality, quality, and possible interest to specialists and non-specialists, since reviews as well as case studies are included. Two editorial errors were detected and should be corrected if a second edition is to be published: in Chapter 4, the text refers to Table 2, which does not exist, and one or more lines of text appear to be missing at the top of page 86. Beside these minor shortcomings, the layout of text, tables and illustrations is very comfortable, and all chapters irrespective of the nationality of the particular authors have in common that they are written in a clear language understandable also to non-specialists in the field, so that both students and scientists may profit. To which kind of reader may the book be recommended? Approximately half of the book is covered by climate change research relevant for China, which of course makes sense because of its huge and still growing population, its growing economic importance, its high portion of cultivated landscapes, and, therefore, its growing importance in greenhouse gas emissions. Everybody interested in Chinese research on climate change will find valuable information. In addition, any reader interested in any of the major tasks mentioned above may use the book to get basic background information on climate-biosphere interaction, and experts in the particular fields may profit from the various case studies.
Andreas Fangmeier
ELSEVIER
BOOK REVIEWS
Air Pollution by Photochemical Oxidants. By I. Colbeck
thoroughly in Chapter 4, which includes comparisons of the very different situations prevailing in different locations and the uncertainty of current models. Chapter 5 discusses the techniques of measurement of oxidants and their precursors and I am delighted that the authors note the value of simple wet chemical methods for use in low cost networks--a matter of increasing importance in view of the evidence for serious oxidant problems in developing countries. The next chapter contains a valuable collation of oxidant monitoring data, with some consideration given to the difficult problem of identifying trends in such temporally variable pollutants; surprisingly, the different ozone climates recorded at high altitudes are not really addressed. Chapter 7 covers environmental effects, considering (briefly) materials, human health and vegetation. It is most disappointing that the outcome of the recently completed EC-sponsored studies on ozone effect on vegetation are not mentioned, nor the European approach to cumulative dose above a threshold in formulating air quality standards. The chapter ends with a section on biomonitoring, whose significance here is not entirely clear. The final chapter is concerned with control strategies. Again I would like to have seen much greater emphasis on this section, particularly with respect to the research on oxidant chemistry covered earlier in the book which is vital in formulating control strategies. While the activities of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe are mentioned with respect to transboundary on pollution issues, there is a glaring omission in the failure to describe the 'critical levels' approach favoured by this organisation, despite air quality standards and guidelines of other bodies being included. Overall, I have mixed feelings about this publication. Its greatest strength lies in the extensive coverage of the literature, at least in terms of the physical and chemical aspects of oxidants. My main concern is its imbalance, as well as the absence of an index and the large number of typographical errors in the camera-ready copy which is not acceptable in a book of this price
& A. R, Mackenzie, Air Quality Monographs. Volume 1. Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, 1994, ISBN 0-44488542-0, 388 pp. Price: Dr. 300.00. There has never been a greater interest in the subject matter of this book, with growing concern in many parts of the world over the effects of photochemical oxidants on health, ecosystems, agriculture and materials as well as their role in the formation of other secondary forms of air pollution, notably those resulting in 'acid rain'. Thus it was with anticipation that I opened the covers of this book, expecting a comprehensive and authoritative treatment of the subject from both interand multi-disciplinary perspectives. In the event I must admit a certain degree of disappointment, in that it is strongly biased towards the chemistry of photo-oxidant formation. Perhaps this should be expected in view of the credentials of the authors, but I feel that the consideration of environmental effects deserves somewhat more than 15 pages of text, starting at page 327. Ultimately the practical interest in the subject lies in its role in producing adverse environmental impacts, other aspects being aimed at ameliorating these by improving understanding of the physical and chemical processes underlying oxidants formation and their control. The first chapter is a pleasure to read, covering the history of ozone studies in the 19th century, highlighting the fascination of many contemporary scientists with this newly discovered molecule. Of more practical significance is the use of early monitoring studies to provide a base-line for estimates of rising tropospheric ozone levels in Europe. Chapter 2 is mainly a series of tables covering the physical and chemical properties of a range of oxidants and associated compounds, with some toxicological data. The next chapter covers sources and emissions of oxidant precursors, emphasising the importance of both natural and anthropogenic sources. Somewhat oddly it commences with a consideration of microbial methane production despite the previous chapter noting the relatively minor importance of this gas in oxidant production, followed by nitrogen oxides from microbial sources, biogenic non-methane hydrocarbons, biomass combustion emissions, and fossil fuel emissions. It ends with a section on inventories of precursors, which highlights the problems of a poor understanding of hydrocarbons in this respect, thus hindering effective control strategies. My concerns over the balance of the book are heightened by the dismissal of the important subject of deposition processes by a mere six page appendix to the chapter. The atmospheric chemistry of oxidants is covered
J. N. B. Bell
Climate--Biosphere Interactions: Biogenic Emissions and Environmental Effects of Climate Change. Edited by Richard G. Zepp. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1994, ISBN 0-471-58932-2, 303 pp. Price: £91.00. Climate change is one of the hot topics both in science and politics, and the amount of new publications may be called overwhelming. Climate--Biosphere Interactions 365
366
Book reviews
edited by R. G. Zepp, which continues the John Wiley & Sons Environmental Science and Technology Series, is another book dealing with global climate change, however, it is covering some yet under-represented topics. The title is somewhat misleading or at least incomplete, since major attention is paid to climate change in China--eight of 17 chapters are dealing with particular situations in China. Thirty-one different authors have contributed to the book, the chapters of which may be divided into five groups: climate observation and/or modelling and environmental effects (four chapters); methane emission from rice paddies (three chapters); trace gas emission from (tropical) deforestation and from biomass burning (three chapters); effects of climate change on agriculture (two chapters), and 'others' (five chapters). 'Others' includes a description of the Chinese Ecological Research Network, a chapter on solar radiation effects on organic matter cycling, a description of a model of soil biogeochemistry, a short, more general review on trends in trace gas concentrations and their effects on ecosystems, and a summary of current projects and future research recommendations between the US Department of Energy and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Thus, the book covers quite a wide range of different topics concerning climate change. It is not a book of a piece, rather, the particular contributions vary in their
actuality, quality, and possible interest to specialists and non-specialists, since reviews as well as case studies are included. Two editorial errors were detected and should be corrected if a second edition is to be published: in Chapter 4, the text refers to Table 2, which does not exist, and one or more lines of text appear to be missing at the top of page 86. Beside these minor shortcomings, the layout of text, tables and illustrations is very comfortable, and all chapters irrespective of the nationality of the particular authors have in common that they are written in a clear language understandable also to non-specialists in the field, so that both students and scientists may profit. To which kind of reader may the book be recommended? Approximately half of the book is covered by climate change research relevant for China, which of course makes sense because of its huge and still growing population, its growing economic importance, its high portion of cultivated landscapes, and, therefore, its growing importance in greenhouse gas emissions. Everybody interested in Chinese research on climate change will find valuable information. In addition, any reader interested in any of the major tasks mentioned above may use the book to get basic background information on climate-biosphere interaction, and experts in the particular fields may profit from the various case studies.
Andreas Fangmeier