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Atomic absorption spectrometry in geology
Geocbimica et Coemochimics Acta, 1973, Vol. 37, pp. 2705 to 2708. Pergamon Preens. Printed in Northern Ireland
BOOK REVIEWS Chami&,ry in Space Regearoh, edited by ROBERT F. L~LNDELand AUN REMBAUM. American Else&z Publishing Company Inc., New York, 1972, 653 pp., $39.50. THIS BOOK has 11 chapters authored by 14 authors and co-authors. The chapters span two quite different areas, serving different readerships in carbon chemistry. The first and minor section, whichis concerned with the chemistry of space as an environment for study, has a general chapter by Libby and chapters on planetary atmospheres by Young, prebiological synthesis by Pormamperuma and Gabel, carbonaceous meteorites by Mellor and terrestrial and exterrestrial organic molecules by Yen. Ponnamperuma and Gabel’s chapter treats its subject in depth but much of the material has already been published elsewhere. Mellor’s chapter is also space-relevant but the same comment applies; further, I am somewhat critical of his acceptance (p. 99) of the sporopollenin studies as being the “strongest evidence so far for the existence of extra-terrestrial life.” Yen’s chapter of some 60 pages attempts to elucidate the factors influencing the stability of organic molecules over a long period of timecertainly a topic of great interest to organic geochemists and others interested in the carbon chemistry of space. This article is worth reading and includes discussion of polycychc aromatic systems, porphyrins and kerogens. The second section on the chemical technology of space travel is some 500 pages long and makes up the greater part of the book. It contains chapters on the chemistry of polymers required for insulators, nose cones and propellants and on the chemistry involved in the sterilisation of spacecraft. This second section could be of interest to geochemists concerned with contamination of lunar samples by spacecraft engines and by sterilants and in the design of high-temperature gas-chromatography phases. In summary, this book is of limited value to Qeochimica readers. The title is misleading: the chemistry of space deserves more integrated and fundamental treatment at this time of rapid exploration of the planets. The technology of space travel could be best dealt with separately. Organic Cleochemistry Unit, University of Bristol B?‘istd, England
GEOFFREY E~LINTON
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in (feology, by ERNEST E. AN~INO and GALE K. BILLINGIS. Second revised edition,
1972. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam.
$10.25, 160~~.
FIRST published in 1967, Angino and Billings’ book has been updated in the 1972 edition by adding a 46 page eppendix in which reference is made to some 85 publications dated 1967-1970. This appendix consists of brief additions to each of several of the original chapters. The review of newer literature contains much relevant and interesting material; however, it is far too short to be comprehensive, despite an admir8bly terse style. For example, the addition to Chapter 3, Recent Developments in Instrumentation, is only two pages long. Its most useful information is a reference to more complete works. Five pages cover new developments in silicate rock and mineral analysis, and two pages are devoted to trace elements in sediments. A fault of the book as a whole is a lack of informed opinion on the best approaches to common geochemical analytical problems. In some cases, emphasis is given to clearly inferior or outdated procedures, while thoroughly viable and well-tested methods-for example those of 2706
2706
Book reviews
Abbey (Geol. Surv. of Canada) and Shapiro (U.S. Geological Survey}-are given only passing mention or are omitted. One of the major problems in practical AA spectrometry, that of preparing and ~~ibrating standards, is given insuf&ient attention. The role of analyzed reference materials in the control of geochemioal analysis is ignored. Despite these faults, the book accumulates a good deal of useful information, and will be of value as a general guide to anyone beginning use of the technique, presuming they have access to other sources. C. 0. INGAMELLS Climax Molybdmwn Co., Golden, Colomdo 80401, U.S.A.
E&eoritea and Their Origins by G, 5. MCCALL. David & Charles, 1973, 352 pp. $4.95 AN IMPORTANT result of the Apollo and Luna programs is the realization that terrestrial, lunar and meteoritic materials record different periods in, and processes of, Solar System evolution. The returned lunar samples raise far more questions than they answer, and the information now strea~g back from Mars suggests that this planet too will broaden rather than narrow our perspective. Though present manpower and support statistics do not reflect it, planetary research remains an active, expanding field in which the study ofmeteorites continues to play an important part. Most of the general texts on meteorites (e.g. Mason, Heide) predate the flood of meteoritic research performed during the early and middle 1960’s. The sole exception, Wood’s 1968 book, is excellent in what it treats but not broad enough to provide a general int~duetian to the field. There is a clear need for a readable, comprehensive, up-to-date, and autho~tative summary of what we know and think about meteorites. G. J. McCall has attempted to meet this need with a book which he describes as “a general text for amateur scientists, university students and professional scientists.” In attempting to summarize a very broad, controversial field for three different audiences, the author set himself a very difficult task. It is not surprising that Meteoritesalzd The3 0~igina is only partly successful: it achieves its goals of ~~ab~ity and ~omp~he~iveness, but it is by no means up-to-date and it is authoritative in only a very narrow sense of the word. Among the attractions of the book are an informal style, sparing use of exotic terminology, and a wealth of illustrations, most of which are well-chosen and well-reproduced. These and a remarkably small number of typographical errors make the book easy and enjoyable to read. In the sense that it touches on virtually all aspects of meteorites, McCall’s txeatment of the subject is oomprehensive. The &st half ofthe book is largely descriptive. It includes chapters on the history of meteoritic research, ~trono~ea1 co~iderations, fall phenomena, mo~holo~, classification and the properties of individual meteorite types. This part of the book, in effect an introduotion to the materials, organization and terminology of the soience, is generally wellrealized. I regret the brevity of the chapter on classification, which will probably leave the beginner thoroughly bewildered. The rest of the material is well-chosen and illustrated in a manner much like that of earlier texts. The second half of the book treats problems and issues raised by meteorites. It includes chapters on brecciation; the significance of the carbon~eous chondrites; ~hondrules; metamorphism in meteorites; organic matter and life forms; meteorite ages and isotopic data; and the origin of meteorites. The Iast four chapters deal with tektites and craters, whose relation to meteorites McCall regards as greatly overrated. McCall’s treatment of these topics is very disappointing, chiefly because it is based largely on old data and arguments and omits more recent ones. For example, a table of elemental
BOOK REVIEWS Chami&,ry in Space Regearoh, edited by ROBERT F. L~LNDELand AUN REMBAUM. American Else&z Publishing Company Inc., New York, 1972, 653 pp., $39.50. THIS BOOK has 11 chapters authored by 14 authors and co-authors. The chapters span two quite different areas, serving different readerships in carbon chemistry. The first and minor section, whichis concerned with the chemistry of space as an environment for study, has a general chapter by Libby and chapters on planetary atmospheres by Young, prebiological synthesis by Pormamperuma and Gabel, carbonaceous meteorites by Mellor and terrestrial and exterrestrial organic molecules by Yen. Ponnamperuma and Gabel’s chapter treats its subject in depth but much of the material has already been published elsewhere. Mellor’s chapter is also space-relevant but the same comment applies; further, I am somewhat critical of his acceptance (p. 99) of the sporopollenin studies as being the “strongest evidence so far for the existence of extra-terrestrial life.” Yen’s chapter of some 60 pages attempts to elucidate the factors influencing the stability of organic molecules over a long period of timecertainly a topic of great interest to organic geochemists and others interested in the carbon chemistry of space. This article is worth reading and includes discussion of polycychc aromatic systems, porphyrins and kerogens. The second section on the chemical technology of space travel is some 500 pages long and makes up the greater part of the book. It contains chapters on the chemistry of polymers required for insulators, nose cones and propellants and on the chemistry involved in the sterilisation of spacecraft. This second section could be of interest to geochemists concerned with contamination of lunar samples by spacecraft engines and by sterilants and in the design of high-temperature gas-chromatography phases. In summary, this book is of limited value to Qeochimica readers. The title is misleading: the chemistry of space deserves more integrated and fundamental treatment at this time of rapid exploration of the planets. The technology of space travel could be best dealt with separately. Organic Cleochemistry Unit, University of Bristol B?‘istd, England
GEOFFREY E~LINTON
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in (feology, by ERNEST E. AN~INO and GALE K. BILLINGIS. Second revised edition,
1972. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam.
$10.25, 160~~.
FIRST published in 1967, Angino and Billings’ book has been updated in the 1972 edition by adding a 46 page eppendix in which reference is made to some 85 publications dated 1967-1970. This appendix consists of brief additions to each of several of the original chapters. The review of newer literature contains much relevant and interesting material; however, it is far too short to be comprehensive, despite an admir8bly terse style. For example, the addition to Chapter 3, Recent Developments in Instrumentation, is only two pages long. Its most useful information is a reference to more complete works. Five pages cover new developments in silicate rock and mineral analysis, and two pages are devoted to trace elements in sediments. A fault of the book as a whole is a lack of informed opinion on the best approaches to common geochemical analytical problems. In some cases, emphasis is given to clearly inferior or outdated procedures, while thoroughly viable and well-tested methods-for example those of 2706
2706
Book reviews
Abbey (Geol. Surv. of Canada) and Shapiro (U.S. Geological Survey}-are given only passing mention or are omitted. One of the major problems in practical AA spectrometry, that of preparing and ~~ibrating standards, is given insuf&ient attention. The role of analyzed reference materials in the control of geochemioal analysis is ignored. Despite these faults, the book accumulates a good deal of useful information, and will be of value as a general guide to anyone beginning use of the technique, presuming they have access to other sources. C. 0. INGAMELLS Climax Molybdmwn Co., Golden, Colomdo 80401, U.S.A.
E&eoritea and Their Origins by G, 5. MCCALL. David & Charles, 1973, 352 pp. $4.95 AN IMPORTANT result of the Apollo and Luna programs is the realization that terrestrial, lunar and meteoritic materials record different periods in, and processes of, Solar System evolution. The returned lunar samples raise far more questions than they answer, and the information now strea~g back from Mars suggests that this planet too will broaden rather than narrow our perspective. Though present manpower and support statistics do not reflect it, planetary research remains an active, expanding field in which the study ofmeteorites continues to play an important part. Most of the general texts on meteorites (e.g. Mason, Heide) predate the flood of meteoritic research performed during the early and middle 1960’s. The sole exception, Wood’s 1968 book, is excellent in what it treats but not broad enough to provide a general int~duetian to the field. There is a clear need for a readable, comprehensive, up-to-date, and autho~tative summary of what we know and think about meteorites. G. J. McCall has attempted to meet this need with a book which he describes as “a general text for amateur scientists, university students and professional scientists.” In attempting to summarize a very broad, controversial field for three different audiences, the author set himself a very difficult task. It is not surprising that Meteoritesalzd The3 0~igina is only partly successful: it achieves its goals of ~~ab~ity and ~omp~he~iveness, but it is by no means up-to-date and it is authoritative in only a very narrow sense of the word. Among the attractions of the book are an informal style, sparing use of exotic terminology, and a wealth of illustrations, most of which are well-chosen and well-reproduced. These and a remarkably small number of typographical errors make the book easy and enjoyable to read. In the sense that it touches on virtually all aspects of meteorites, McCall’s txeatment of the subject is oomprehensive. The &st half ofthe book is largely descriptive. It includes chapters on the history of meteoritic research, ~trono~ea1 co~iderations, fall phenomena, mo~holo~, classification and the properties of individual meteorite types. This part of the book, in effect an introduotion to the materials, organization and terminology of the soience, is generally wellrealized. I regret the brevity of the chapter on classification, which will probably leave the beginner thoroughly bewildered. The rest of the material is well-chosen and illustrated in a manner much like that of earlier texts. The second half of the book treats problems and issues raised by meteorites. It includes chapters on brecciation; the significance of the carbon~eous chondrites; ~hondrules; metamorphism in meteorites; organic matter and life forms; meteorite ages and isotopic data; and the origin of meteorites. The Iast four chapters deal with tektites and craters, whose relation to meteorites McCall regards as greatly overrated. McCall’s treatment of these topics is very disappointing, chiefly because it is based largely on old data and arguments and omits more recent ones. For example, a table of elemental