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Facets of hydrology
395
Facets of Hydrology. J.C. Rodda (Editor). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, 1976, 368 pp., UK £19.50/US $39.00. This book is an excellent collection of articles by different authors, describing the latest techniques of measurement in hydrological studies and reporting on selected topics of current interest, including some discussions not usually covered in a hydrological context. The book is written for hydrologists and scientists in allied fields, but is also a book which, with its good index, can be used for reference purposes by other scientists enquiring about hydrology. Numerous figures and photographs (the latter unfortunately poorly reproduced) help the reader to follow the text. In the first of thirteen chapters, G.A. McKay discusses the various types of maps which are useful in hydrological studies. The second chapter by D.R. Wiesnet outlines the historical development on remote sensing in hydrology, from aerial photography to data transmission systems using satellites, and discusses the usefulness of such techniques in monitoring data in isolated regions, which may be used, for example, to predict coastal storms. The chapter on nuclear methods by D.B. Smith describes the use of tracer methods in determining surface water and groundwater flows with several examples of their use, and the use of the neutron probe to measure soil-water content and of gamma rays for soft-density measurements. The author also discusses the use of "naturally" occurring radioactive isotopes, such as tritium and '4C in tracing soft-water movement. J. Martinec gives a useful account of the role of snow and ice in the global water balance. He discusses the physical properties of snow and ice, and the methods used in snow surveying. The chapter on new methods of river gauging by R.W. Herschy deals with the moving boat, ultrasonic and electromagnetic methods, giving the principles of each technique and indicating the usefulness of each in particular situations. R.B. Painter gives an account of the present position of our understanding of the complex processes involved in erosion and sediment transport. Because of the numerous simplifications which have to be used at present in all predictive models, models will continue to be based on numerical optimization rather than on physical criteria until there is a greater understanding of the physical processes involved. In the chapter on water quality, A. James gives a comprehensive account of the factors involved in water quality and how the quality of water is monitored for various purposes. The chapter on infiltration by F.X. Dunin considers the part infiltration plays in the hydrological cycle. He gives an outline of infiltration theory and discusses both theoretical and empirical infiltration equations. Methods of measuring field infiltration are given and the application of infiltration equations in field conditions is discussed. The modelling of solute transport in groundwater systems is illustrated by many examples in the chapter by J.D. Bredehoeft and others.
396
In his chapter on basin studies, J.C. Rodda gives the historical background to these studies and considers their expansion and development. The chapter on statistical methods for the study of spatial variation in hydrological variables by R.J. Clarke is probably too mathematical for many hydrologists to follow, and it is a pity that a simpler account was not given on the subject, in keeping with the other chapters. The last two chapters on law relating to water by F. Hodges and on international aspects of hydrology by J. Ndmec are unusual for a b o o k primarily devoted to expounding the scientific position of the subject. However, these are valuable to the scientist in outlining the political environment surrounding his work. The thirteen chapters, although written by different authors, are well coordinated. The book fulfills its purpose by giving the reader an overall view of m o d e r n techniques employed in hydrology and of topics of interest to hydrologists at the present time. It can be r e c o m m e n d e d to all interested scientists. E.G. Y O U N G S
(Harpenden)
Hydraulique urbaine. J. Bonnin. ]~ditions EyroUes, Paris, 1977, 228 pp., FFr. 117.00. The author attempts to make a comprehensive review of the problems of drinking water supply and urban sanitation in one book of modest dimensions {about 200 pages). After giving the general characteristics of drinkin{~-water distribution and sanitation settings, he successively approaches: quantitative and qualitative needs. drinking-water collecting and treatment. computation principles (free-surface and potential flows) and technology of collecting and distribution nets. -- reservoirs and pumping stations. -- notions on the purification of used water. a detailed and quantitative example of water supply and sanitation of a small built-up area. J. Bonnin's book is original in trying to present together two parallel techniques of bringing and evacuating waters in built-up areas, which are indeed closely related, particularly with respect to the estimate and study of flowrate variations, the hydraulic computations of settings, the nature o f materials and works. This test was particularly interesting in yielding a comprehensive view of the hydraulic fittings of built-up areas. The small size of this work does not enable the author to touch on more than briefly some important problems of built-up area hydraulics, such as the -
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Facets of Hydrology. J.C. Rodda (Editor). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, 1976, 368 pp., UK £19.50/US $39.00. This book is an excellent collection of articles by different authors, describing the latest techniques of measurement in hydrological studies and reporting on selected topics of current interest, including some discussions not usually covered in a hydrological context. The book is written for hydrologists and scientists in allied fields, but is also a book which, with its good index, can be used for reference purposes by other scientists enquiring about hydrology. Numerous figures and photographs (the latter unfortunately poorly reproduced) help the reader to follow the text. In the first of thirteen chapters, G.A. McKay discusses the various types of maps which are useful in hydrological studies. The second chapter by D.R. Wiesnet outlines the historical development on remote sensing in hydrology, from aerial photography to data transmission systems using satellites, and discusses the usefulness of such techniques in monitoring data in isolated regions, which may be used, for example, to predict coastal storms. The chapter on nuclear methods by D.B. Smith describes the use of tracer methods in determining surface water and groundwater flows with several examples of their use, and the use of the neutron probe to measure soil-water content and of gamma rays for soft-density measurements. The author also discusses the use of "naturally" occurring radioactive isotopes, such as tritium and '4C in tracing soft-water movement. J. Martinec gives a useful account of the role of snow and ice in the global water balance. He discusses the physical properties of snow and ice, and the methods used in snow surveying. The chapter on new methods of river gauging by R.W. Herschy deals with the moving boat, ultrasonic and electromagnetic methods, giving the principles of each technique and indicating the usefulness of each in particular situations. R.B. Painter gives an account of the present position of our understanding of the complex processes involved in erosion and sediment transport. Because of the numerous simplifications which have to be used at present in all predictive models, models will continue to be based on numerical optimization rather than on physical criteria until there is a greater understanding of the physical processes involved. In the chapter on water quality, A. James gives a comprehensive account of the factors involved in water quality and how the quality of water is monitored for various purposes. The chapter on infiltration by F.X. Dunin considers the part infiltration plays in the hydrological cycle. He gives an outline of infiltration theory and discusses both theoretical and empirical infiltration equations. Methods of measuring field infiltration are given and the application of infiltration equations in field conditions is discussed. The modelling of solute transport in groundwater systems is illustrated by many examples in the chapter by J.D. Bredehoeft and others.
396
In his chapter on basin studies, J.C. Rodda gives the historical background to these studies and considers their expansion and development. The chapter on statistical methods for the study of spatial variation in hydrological variables by R.J. Clarke is probably too mathematical for many hydrologists to follow, and it is a pity that a simpler account was not given on the subject, in keeping with the other chapters. The last two chapters on law relating to water by F. Hodges and on international aspects of hydrology by J. Ndmec are unusual for a b o o k primarily devoted to expounding the scientific position of the subject. However, these are valuable to the scientist in outlining the political environment surrounding his work. The thirteen chapters, although written by different authors, are well coordinated. The book fulfills its purpose by giving the reader an overall view of m o d e r n techniques employed in hydrology and of topics of interest to hydrologists at the present time. It can be r e c o m m e n d e d to all interested scientists. E.G. Y O U N G S
(Harpenden)
Hydraulique urbaine. J. Bonnin. ]~ditions EyroUes, Paris, 1977, 228 pp., FFr. 117.00. The author attempts to make a comprehensive review of the problems of drinking water supply and urban sanitation in one book of modest dimensions {about 200 pages). After giving the general characteristics of drinkin{~-water distribution and sanitation settings, he successively approaches: quantitative and qualitative needs. drinking-water collecting and treatment. computation principles (free-surface and potential flows) and technology of collecting and distribution nets. -- reservoirs and pumping stations. -- notions on the purification of used water. a detailed and quantitative example of water supply and sanitation of a small built-up area. J. Bonnin's book is original in trying to present together two parallel techniques of bringing and evacuating waters in built-up areas, which are indeed closely related, particularly with respect to the estimate and study of flowrate variations, the hydraulic computations of settings, the nature o f materials and works. This test was particularly interesting in yielding a comprehensive view of the hydraulic fittings of built-up areas. The small size of this work does not enable the author to touch on more than briefly some important problems of built-up area hydraulics, such as the -
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