A handbook of inductively coupled plasma spectrometry

153 In general, I f o u n d both volumes to be well written and informative. There were very few typographical errors in the papers I read, which is a credit to the editors and their staff. Similarly, the graphics are easily understood and, for the most part, appropriately placed in the articles. Some of the individual papers are rather specialized and may be of limited interest, but there are several review articles which nicely summarize some of the general topics covered. The authors and editors are to be commended for their efforts in summarizing what is currently known about present-day coastal upwelling systems and how their effect can be identified in the geological record. Both volumes should prove to be highly informative to marine scientists as well as to the exploration geologist interested in the impact of coastal systems on the geological record. JOEL D. CLINE (Dallas, Texas)

A Handbook of Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry. Michael Thompson and J. Nicholas Walsh. Blackie Publishing Group, Glasgow, 1983, x + 273 pp., UK £ 35.00 (hardcover}. This book deals with one of the newest techniques for the analysis of elements, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. A unique feature of the m e t h o d is its multielement capability. Indeed, the technique can be applied to studies involving trace, minor and major concentrations of elements simultaneously. While routine use the technique is relatively new, the developmental stage has been nearly t w e n t y years. During this period of development, the m a n y alterations and claims of the technique given in solving various analytical problems have made it difficult for all but the most well informed to assess the technique's real characteristics. This book then is attempting to assemble the vast information reported in the literature and offer advice to the geochemist on how

this m e t h o d might be used in the earth sciences. To attain this goal, the authors have used ten chapters. Specific subjects of the chapters include: Historical instrumental development; Analytical characteristics; Instrumentation; Silicate rock analysis; Multielement applications; Alternate sample introduction schemes; Water analysis; Analysis of environmental materials; and Future developments of the technique. These subjects are covered in 273 pages and use 246 references. What is quite amazing is that the authors do an excellent job in covering these subjects in such little space. They offer sound advice on the selection of commercial instrumentation and on what the specific methods can and perhaps more importantly cannot do in studying geochemical processes. The cookbook methods that are presented cover perhaps 90% of usage of the technique in the earth sciences. The first five chapters and Chapters 8 and 9 contain the most useful information for the application of the technique. This material is presented in enough detail for a trained geochemist or chemist to use the methods without lengthly optimization studies. Chapters 6 and 7 cover very specialized sample introduction techniques. These two chapters are perhaps presented to show some potential interactive usage of the method. Described are methods such as laser ablation and direct solid sampling. These methods require interpretation of the sensitivity of the m e t h o d to a variety of interferences, but can be useful in showing trends. A overall impression of the book is that the authors are indeed authorities of this technique and have done an excellent job in conveying their knowledge to anyone interested in learning more about the technique. FRED LICHTE (Denver, Colo.)

Atmospheric Chemistry. E.D. Goldberg (Editor). Physical and Chemical Sciences Research Report No. 4. Report of the Dahlem Workshop on Atmospheric Chemistry,