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Environmental geochemistry in health and disease
144 starting with first principles and building to the conclusion that branching in a fluvial system is a function of work and space requirements in accordance with the rules of mixed hexagonal hierarchies. The approach is largely deterministic though a statistical content is present in the need for using averages at various stages of the analysis. The paper will be of particular interest to readers not familiar with details of Woldenberg's approach, as a good introduction to the broad field of packing models, in which the hexagon is a basic form for closest packing. The last portion of the book has two papers on simulation, the first on coastal spits by C.A.M. King, and the second on drainage basin development by B. Sprunt. King's paper is a well-organized and readable account on spits in general, leading to the Hurst Castle Spit in Hampshire opposite the Isle of Wight. A simulation model is used that takes account of the directions of wave approach and the southeasterly movement of shingle along the spit, with strongly recurving movement in its distal portion. By varying the relative contributions of wave trains from several directions, the simulation output displayed a form similar in many respects to the natural prototype. The simulation thus reflects the growth history of the spit and permits extrapolation to the future. Sprunt's paper starts with a discussion of simulation in general, leading to the problem of simulating stream networks. The author develops a set of optimal requirements for such a model, and illustrates his approach with an example of computer output. A prototype area used as digitized input was reasonably well matched with output when the latter was shorn of multiple stream junctions and some rather unrealistic tributary patterns. It is probably appropriate to point out that both simulation papers seem to imply that an adequate test for simulation models is similarity in appearance of the natural and simulated forms-- a shortcoming that applies to many current simulation models. All such models are by necessity mathematical constructs with output controlled by the structure of the model, even though its parameters may be varied in different ways to find the 'best-looking' fit. Inasmuch as geomorphologic forms have topological elements, an essential part Qf
BOOK REVIEWS model testing is comparison of the naturally observed topological attributes with those of the simulation output. The problem of spatial dimensions also enters the picture, which is clouded by the arbitrary time and length steps in most models. One test, however, is to compare histograms of dimensional frequency distributions of input and output, as a qualitative guide to the population densities i n volved. Chorley's opening review of spatial analysis in geomorphology, deferred to this closing section of the review, provides an appropriate setting for the papers in the volume. Chorley emphasizes that geomorphology now has available a kit of tools adequate for serious consideration of spatial problems in the science. Yet the diffusion of these quantitative techniques has been relatively slow, so that spatial analysis in physical geography has lagged behind its applications in human geography. Chorley points out several reasons for this, one of which is that quantitative geomorphologists are perhaps too few to attain the 'critical mass' necessary for robust exploitation of new techniques by widespread publication. Whether the book under review wilt supply the necessary impetus to launch geomorphology into a spatial orbit depends on wide dissemination and acceptance of the book itself. In my opinion no geography or geology library should be without it, and instructors are here urged to include relevant papers in their courses as required reading. Active researchers who can afford their own libraries in these days of almost prohibitive book prices will find themselves re-reading the more stimulating papers and thumbing through the excellent bibliographies supplied by most of the authors. W.C. Krumbein, Evanston, II1.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY Helen L. Cannon and Howard C. Hopps (Editors), 1972. Environmental Geochemistry in Health and Disease. Geological Society of America, Memoir 123, Boulder, Colo., 230 pp., U.S. $ 14.00.
BOOK REVIEWS The question of whether people born and raised in one area are healthier, as reflected by disease incidence and risk of dying, than people in other areas has challenged the imagination of many people. Earlier proposals suggesting an association of disease incidence and some environmental factor, such as drinking water and nutritive quality of foods, have been received with considerable skepticism. The inability to demonstrate clearly a cause-and-effect relation has been a significant factor in the poor response given to earlier proposals. Inconsistencies in observations over broad geographic regions, a lack of a broad comprehension of interrelated factors of the environment, and an absence of definitive statistics in disease incidence and pathologic causes of death have been contributing factors. The book Environmental Geochemistry in Health and Disease overcomes many of the shortcomings of earlier studies. An interdisciplinary panel of 26 scientists focuses on important aspects of the environment and their relation to patterns of disease incidence in people. Attention given principally to trace elements reflects a growing recognition of their importance to humans as well as their importance to plants and animals. An effort is made to depict the general pathways of their movement in a food chain for man. The articles on geographic patterns of risk of dying, incidences of specific diseases, and dental health provide a broad framework for evaluations of the various environmental factors. Observations in the continental United States receive considerable attention, but relevant observations are drawn from other countries. Some basic information about the mineral composition of rocks and water provides an insight into sources of trace elements that enter into a human food chain. The movement of trace elements through plants, as it is reflected in the mineral composition of food and feed plants grown in different regions of the United States, and the geochemical techniques for the identification of geologic anomalous areas are presented. The impact of trace element movement on mineral pollution of the environment is also discussed. The transition from the earth and biologic sciences to geographic pathology of man still remains formidable. Potential dangers in
14 5 drawing cause-and-effect relations from associated observations are recognized and discussed in relation to incidence of cardiovascular disease and increasing hardness of water. The possible role of a deleterious trace element like cadmium is evaluated. Although a relationship between geographic patterns of disease incidence in man and levels of a trace element remain to be established, beneficial effects of trace elements for man are clearly evident. Impressive among these are the reported responses of man to zinc in wound healing and growth and to chromium for the maintenance of normal glucose tolerance. These observations point to a need for closer scrutiny of trace elements in the well-being of man. The depth and breadth of coverage among the articles differ and reflect the current state of knowledge within the various disciplines when information from these disciplines is applied to an understanding of disease incidence of man. The recognition of possible trace element deficiencies fulfills one objective of this book. The book is directed toward a broad audience but should have a special appeal for those in various scientific disciplines having a common interest in trace elements. The viewpoints presented provide an insight into how scientific information from multidisciptinary sources might be focused on problems associated with man and his environment. Documentation of observations is good, and presentations are made with minimum use of the jargon peculiar to each discipline. Joe Kubota, Ithaca, N.Y.
ICE AGE IN B R I T A I N B.W. Sparks and R.G. West, 1972. The Ice Age in Britain. Methuen, London, 302 pp., 128 fig., 44 pl., £ 5.50. The authors, a geographer and a palynologist, explain their book by saying that the accumulated 'amount of publication on the Ice Age probably nearly equals that on the rest of geological time'. They have boiled down the essential information, at least as far as Britain is concerned, for the benefit of the
BOOK REVIEWS model testing is comparison of the naturally observed topological attributes with those of the simulation output. The problem of spatial dimensions also enters the picture, which is clouded by the arbitrary time and length steps in most models. One test, however, is to compare histograms of dimensional frequency distributions of input and output, as a qualitative guide to the population densities i n volved. Chorley's opening review of spatial analysis in geomorphology, deferred to this closing section of the review, provides an appropriate setting for the papers in the volume. Chorley emphasizes that geomorphology now has available a kit of tools adequate for serious consideration of spatial problems in the science. Yet the diffusion of these quantitative techniques has been relatively slow, so that spatial analysis in physical geography has lagged behind its applications in human geography. Chorley points out several reasons for this, one of which is that quantitative geomorphologists are perhaps too few to attain the 'critical mass' necessary for robust exploitation of new techniques by widespread publication. Whether the book under review wilt supply the necessary impetus to launch geomorphology into a spatial orbit depends on wide dissemination and acceptance of the book itself. In my opinion no geography or geology library should be without it, and instructors are here urged to include relevant papers in their courses as required reading. Active researchers who can afford their own libraries in these days of almost prohibitive book prices will find themselves re-reading the more stimulating papers and thumbing through the excellent bibliographies supplied by most of the authors. W.C. Krumbein, Evanston, II1.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY Helen L. Cannon and Howard C. Hopps (Editors), 1972. Environmental Geochemistry in Health and Disease. Geological Society of America, Memoir 123, Boulder, Colo., 230 pp., U.S. $ 14.00.
BOOK REVIEWS The question of whether people born and raised in one area are healthier, as reflected by disease incidence and risk of dying, than people in other areas has challenged the imagination of many people. Earlier proposals suggesting an association of disease incidence and some environmental factor, such as drinking water and nutritive quality of foods, have been received with considerable skepticism. The inability to demonstrate clearly a cause-and-effect relation has been a significant factor in the poor response given to earlier proposals. Inconsistencies in observations over broad geographic regions, a lack of a broad comprehension of interrelated factors of the environment, and an absence of definitive statistics in disease incidence and pathologic causes of death have been contributing factors. The book Environmental Geochemistry in Health and Disease overcomes many of the shortcomings of earlier studies. An interdisciplinary panel of 26 scientists focuses on important aspects of the environment and their relation to patterns of disease incidence in people. Attention given principally to trace elements reflects a growing recognition of their importance to humans as well as their importance to plants and animals. An effort is made to depict the general pathways of their movement in a food chain for man. The articles on geographic patterns of risk of dying, incidences of specific diseases, and dental health provide a broad framework for evaluations of the various environmental factors. Observations in the continental United States receive considerable attention, but relevant observations are drawn from other countries. Some basic information about the mineral composition of rocks and water provides an insight into sources of trace elements that enter into a human food chain. The movement of trace elements through plants, as it is reflected in the mineral composition of food and feed plants grown in different regions of the United States, and the geochemical techniques for the identification of geologic anomalous areas are presented. The impact of trace element movement on mineral pollution of the environment is also discussed. The transition from the earth and biologic sciences to geographic pathology of man still remains formidable. Potential dangers in
14 5 drawing cause-and-effect relations from associated observations are recognized and discussed in relation to incidence of cardiovascular disease and increasing hardness of water. The possible role of a deleterious trace element like cadmium is evaluated. Although a relationship between geographic patterns of disease incidence in man and levels of a trace element remain to be established, beneficial effects of trace elements for man are clearly evident. Impressive among these are the reported responses of man to zinc in wound healing and growth and to chromium for the maintenance of normal glucose tolerance. These observations point to a need for closer scrutiny of trace elements in the well-being of man. The depth and breadth of coverage among the articles differ and reflect the current state of knowledge within the various disciplines when information from these disciplines is applied to an understanding of disease incidence of man. The recognition of possible trace element deficiencies fulfills one objective of this book. The book is directed toward a broad audience but should have a special appeal for those in various scientific disciplines having a common interest in trace elements. The viewpoints presented provide an insight into how scientific information from multidisciptinary sources might be focused on problems associated with man and his environment. Documentation of observations is good, and presentations are made with minimum use of the jargon peculiar to each discipline. Joe Kubota, Ithaca, N.Y.
ICE AGE IN B R I T A I N B.W. Sparks and R.G. West, 1972. The Ice Age in Britain. Methuen, London, 302 pp., 128 fig., 44 pl., £ 5.50. The authors, a geographer and a palynologist, explain their book by saying that the accumulated 'amount of publication on the Ice Age probably nearly equals that on the rest of geological time'. They have boiled down the essential information, at least as far as Britain is concerned, for the benefit of the