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Environmental isotopes in the hydrosphere
Journal of Hydrology, 69 ( 1 9 8 4 ) 3 6 7 - - 3 7 0
367
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., A m s t e r d a m -- Printed in T h e Netherlands
Book Reviews
Environmental Isotopes in the Hydrosphere. V.I. Ferronsky and V.A. Polyakov. Translated from the Russian b y S.V. Ferronsky. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, 1982, viii + 466 pp., UK £31.00 (hardcover). Environmental Isotopes in the Hydrosphere is an interesting addition to a very limited collection of comprehensive texts dealing with the application of environmental isotope techniques in hydroeological studies. V.I. Ferronsky and V.A. Polyakov are principal authors b u t acknowledge the contributions of several associates and colleagues. The b o o k is subdivided into five chapters of which Chapter 1 (64 pp.) and Chapter 2 (128 pp.) are devoted to 1sO and deuterium, whereas Chapter 3 (120 pp.) and Chapter 4 (46 pp.) deal with radiogenic/radioactive elements. The last chapter (47 pp.) is a summary of the significance of such data for the evolution of the terrestrial hydrosphere. With over five hundred references this is a very well-documented text. After a general Introduction, Chapter 1 begins with a discussion on the thermodynamic basis of isotope effects in natural systems and then describes many of the known mineral--water fractionation effects for 1sO and 2H. Thereafter, ocean water, precipitation and groundwater are discussed. The section is largely based on well-known basic papers although, readers familiar only with the English literature will find " n e w " information. Chapter 2 aims at a description of the dynamics of isotope exchange and its importance in 180 and 2 H in the hydrosphere. It discusses ocean dynamics, the distribution of environmental isotopes in precipitations -unfortunately with few data from the U.S.S.R. -- and then explores surface water--groundwater relationships. Deep-basin brines are extensively discussed based among others on a large n u m b e r of isotopic data from sedimentary basins in the U.S.S.R. The chapter includes a discussion of isotopic data in sedimentary rocks and pore fluids and then expands quickly into a discussion on the use of is O for paleoclimatic studies. The rationale for this shift in emphasis is n o t very clear. Volcanic geothermal systems conclude this chapter, and as with other sections it is characterized by an extensive literature review. In Chapter 3, tritium and radiocarbon provide the focus, although, less important isotopes are mentioned. The introduction presents a rather complete discussion on production modes of different isotopes including man's contribution. The section on tritium in the hydrosphere is substantial and includes mathematical consideration of tritium r u n o f f and model age distributions in groundwater. The section on radiocarbon similarly presents discussion on the use of isotopes for groundwater dating and reviews extensively the most c o m m o n correction models. Unfortunately 13C receives relatively little attention although m o s t basic facts are mentioned. Other
368 isotopes are introduced but not discussed at length; the lack of hydrogeological information is responsible for this. Chapter 5 is a summary of sorts which begins within a review of LsO and 2H abundances in oceans and sediments during the geological past. These and present-day data are then used to discuss the current theories on the formation of the hydrosphere. Although, one may detect some bias in the interpretations, the chapter presents interesting reading, especially for those who concern themselves with the isotopic evolution of terrestrial systems. Overall, this is an interesting book which presents a comprehensive discussion of is O, 2 H, a H and 14 C in the hydrosphere. Unfortunately, isotopes such as 13 C, 34 S and is N are n o t or only marginally considered. This is a shortcoming because carbon and sulphur isotopes can make substantial contributions to hydrogeological investigations. The brief discussion in Chapter 5 does n o t really suffice. The book is well written and, in general, easy to read. It can be used as introductory reading and as reference for more advanced studies. It should become an often quoted text. Additional, important value derives from the fact that scientists n o t too familiar with isotope research in the U.S.S.R. find in the long the rather complete list of references an update and a summary of the work of a large number of scientists usually n o t quoted in the Western literature. This book should help to put their contributions into perspective. P. FRITZ (Waterloo, Ont.)
Technical Papers presented at the Tenth Federal Convention o f the Australian Water and Wastewater Association. A.W.W.A., Sydney, N.S.W., 1983, 774 pp., US $48.00 (including postage by surface mail). The Tenth Federal Convention of the Australian Water and Wastewater Association (A.W.W.A.) t o o k place in April 1983 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. In the technical sessions of the Convention sixty-five (65) papers were presented. All these papers are encompassed in this volume. The keynote address "Water Supply and Water Disposal Problems on our Spaceship E a r t h " was given by Dr. Maarten Schalekamp, President of the International Water Supply Association (I.W.S.A.), General Manager, Water Supply Ziirich (Switzerland). An overview is given of the problems which must be considered and solved by water-supply organizations the world over. The various stages of water-treatment processes used for purification of water obtained from the Swiss lakes are examined in detail. The first invited address "An Overview of Water Quality and Water Treatment Activities in the United States" was presented by John H. Stacha, President, American Water Works Association. The second invited address "Current Initiatives and Direction of Wastewater Treatment in the U.S.A." was prepared by Robert A. Canham, Executive Director, Water Pollution Control Federation. The third invited address "Drinking Water Quality in Relation to Health --
367
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., A m s t e r d a m -- Printed in T h e Netherlands
Book Reviews
Environmental Isotopes in the Hydrosphere. V.I. Ferronsky and V.A. Polyakov. Translated from the Russian b y S.V. Ferronsky. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, 1982, viii + 466 pp., UK £31.00 (hardcover). Environmental Isotopes in the Hydrosphere is an interesting addition to a very limited collection of comprehensive texts dealing with the application of environmental isotope techniques in hydroeological studies. V.I. Ferronsky and V.A. Polyakov are principal authors b u t acknowledge the contributions of several associates and colleagues. The b o o k is subdivided into five chapters of which Chapter 1 (64 pp.) and Chapter 2 (128 pp.) are devoted to 1sO and deuterium, whereas Chapter 3 (120 pp.) and Chapter 4 (46 pp.) deal with radiogenic/radioactive elements. The last chapter (47 pp.) is a summary of the significance of such data for the evolution of the terrestrial hydrosphere. With over five hundred references this is a very well-documented text. After a general Introduction, Chapter 1 begins with a discussion on the thermodynamic basis of isotope effects in natural systems and then describes many of the known mineral--water fractionation effects for 1sO and 2H. Thereafter, ocean water, precipitation and groundwater are discussed. The section is largely based on well-known basic papers although, readers familiar only with the English literature will find " n e w " information. Chapter 2 aims at a description of the dynamics of isotope exchange and its importance in 180 and 2 H in the hydrosphere. It discusses ocean dynamics, the distribution of environmental isotopes in precipitations -unfortunately with few data from the U.S.S.R. -- and then explores surface water--groundwater relationships. Deep-basin brines are extensively discussed based among others on a large n u m b e r of isotopic data from sedimentary basins in the U.S.S.R. The chapter includes a discussion of isotopic data in sedimentary rocks and pore fluids and then expands quickly into a discussion on the use of is O for paleoclimatic studies. The rationale for this shift in emphasis is n o t very clear. Volcanic geothermal systems conclude this chapter, and as with other sections it is characterized by an extensive literature review. In Chapter 3, tritium and radiocarbon provide the focus, although, less important isotopes are mentioned. The introduction presents a rather complete discussion on production modes of different isotopes including man's contribution. The section on tritium in the hydrosphere is substantial and includes mathematical consideration of tritium r u n o f f and model age distributions in groundwater. The section on radiocarbon similarly presents discussion on the use of isotopes for groundwater dating and reviews extensively the most c o m m o n correction models. Unfortunately 13C receives relatively little attention although m o s t basic facts are mentioned. Other
368 isotopes are introduced but not discussed at length; the lack of hydrogeological information is responsible for this. Chapter 5 is a summary of sorts which begins within a review of LsO and 2H abundances in oceans and sediments during the geological past. These and present-day data are then used to discuss the current theories on the formation of the hydrosphere. Although, one may detect some bias in the interpretations, the chapter presents interesting reading, especially for those who concern themselves with the isotopic evolution of terrestrial systems. Overall, this is an interesting book which presents a comprehensive discussion of is O, 2 H, a H and 14 C in the hydrosphere. Unfortunately, isotopes such as 13 C, 34 S and is N are n o t or only marginally considered. This is a shortcoming because carbon and sulphur isotopes can make substantial contributions to hydrogeological investigations. The brief discussion in Chapter 5 does n o t really suffice. The book is well written and, in general, easy to read. It can be used as introductory reading and as reference for more advanced studies. It should become an often quoted text. Additional, important value derives from the fact that scientists n o t too familiar with isotope research in the U.S.S.R. find in the long the rather complete list of references an update and a summary of the work of a large number of scientists usually n o t quoted in the Western literature. This book should help to put their contributions into perspective. P. FRITZ (Waterloo, Ont.)
Technical Papers presented at the Tenth Federal Convention o f the Australian Water and Wastewater Association. A.W.W.A., Sydney, N.S.W., 1983, 774 pp., US $48.00 (including postage by surface mail). The Tenth Federal Convention of the Australian Water and Wastewater Association (A.W.W.A.) t o o k place in April 1983 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. In the technical sessions of the Convention sixty-five (65) papers were presented. All these papers are encompassed in this volume. The keynote address "Water Supply and Water Disposal Problems on our Spaceship E a r t h " was given by Dr. Maarten Schalekamp, President of the International Water Supply Association (I.W.S.A.), General Manager, Water Supply Ziirich (Switzerland). An overview is given of the problems which must be considered and solved by water-supply organizations the world over. The various stages of water-treatment processes used for purification of water obtained from the Swiss lakes are examined in detail. The first invited address "An Overview of Water Quality and Water Treatment Activities in the United States" was presented by John H. Stacha, President, American Water Works Association. The second invited address "Current Initiatives and Direction of Wastewater Treatment in the U.S.A." was prepared by Robert A. Canham, Executive Director, Water Pollution Control Federation. The third invited address "Drinking Water Quality in Relation to Health --