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Interactions at the soil colloid-soil solution interface
Book Reviews~Earth-Science Reviews36 (1994) 131-148
17,000 to 12,400 years ago indicating temperatures possibly 3°C lower, and rainfall no lower, than today. From 12,400 to 8000 B.P. the vegetation was dynamic and difficult to type. Since this time, the Fagaceae have been an important component of the forests and climatic conditions have been generally similar to those of today except perhaps for slightly drier or more variable rainfall from 6000 years B.P. This latter suggestion is very interesting in light of the recent proposal for an increase in climatic variability from this time in the adjacent Australasian region that may relate to an increase in the influence of the Southern Oscillation (McGlone et al., 1992). It is proposed that human interference is evident from as early as 5000 years ago although the initiation of impact was regionally variable. The apparent degree of disturbance within the vegetation through a much longer period must leave open the possibility of earlier human interference. In general terms, the pattern of vegetation changes and their inferred causes are similar to those postulated for the more intensively studied Sumatran region. The monograph is important in filling a significant spatial gap in our knowledge of late Quaternary environments. It will be an important reference for those interested in vegetation and environmental change within the region and on a global scale, and it provides a solid base for more detailed research within the area in the future.
Reference
McGlone, M.S., Kershaw, A.P. and Markgraf, V,, 1992. El Nifio/Southern Oscillation climatic variability in Australasian and South American palaeoenvironmental records. In: H.F. Diaz and V. Markgraf(Editors), El Nifio: Historical and PaleoclimaticAspects of the Southern Oscillation. Cambridge UniversityPress, pp. 419-462. A.P. Kershaw, Melbourne, Vic. SSDI 0012-8252(93)E0039-K
Soil Science
G.H. Bolt, M.F. DeBoodt, M.H.B. Hayes and M.B. McBride (Technical Ed. E.B.A. De-
133
Strooper), 1991. Interactions at the Soil ColloidSoil Solution Interface. N A T O ASI Series E 190. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht. Hardcover 603 pp. Price: Dfl. 280.- ISBN 0-7923-10667. Up-to-date reviews of soil colloid/soil solution interface chemistry in this book are based on presentations given at a workshop in Ghent, which was convened after the 13 th International Congress of ISSS in Hamburg. It is a companion volume to Soil Colloids and Their Associations in Aggregates edited by M.F. DeBoodt, M.H.B. Hayes, A. Herbillon, E.B.A. DeStrooper and J.J. Tuck (published by Plenum, New York in 1990). Chapter 1 serves as a link between the companion and current volumes. Previously reviewed topics, including the nature of soil colloids, clay minerals, soil oxides and oxyhydroxides, humic substances and the soil solution, are re-examined to set the scene for the current work. Succeeding chapters are arranged in four parts, each with an introductory chapter. G.H. Bolt introduces the theoretical treatment of sorption in soil, M.B. McBride selected cases of specific binding of ions by soil constituents, M.H.B. Hayes interactions in soil involving small and large organic molecules and G.H. Bolt, M.F. DeBoodt and M.H.B. Hayes environmental problems associated with unbalanced inputs of fertilizers. As expected of the contributors who are foremost international authorities, the chapters that follow in each part are excellent expositions of current concepts, theory and applications. Complex reactions at colloid/solution interfaces are covered in a comprehensive and remarkably readable manner. In Parts 1 and 2 topics reviewed include the nature of electrochemical effects at surfaces of clay minerals, oxides, hydroxides, clay-aluminium hydroxide complexes and humic substances in relation to heterogeneity, fixed and variable surface charge, specific adsorption (inner sphere complexes), non-specific adsorption (outer sphere, surface ionpairing and diffuse ion swarms), surface complexes, precipitation, nucleation and phase transformations. The effects on surface interactions of characteristics of soil solutions, such as pH, ionic strength and properties of metal
134
Book Reviews~Earth-Science Reviews36 (1994) 131-148
ions, anions, soluble complexes and soluble organic molecules are covered from the applied and theoretical aspects. The practically important reaction kinetics in interactions at oxide surfaces is explored with reference to the unreacted shrinking core (USC) model. In Part 3 soil organic matter interactions with inorganic colloids and its role in sorption processes is reviewed. Sorption of anthropogenic organic chemicals added to soils, which has been the subject for a large amount of research recently because of concerns about pollution, is also reviewed. In Part 4, there are five chapters concerned with applications of studies of reactions at soil/solution interfaces to modern-day problems in soil fertility, pollution and the impact of industrial society on soils. The relative inaccessibility of the interface region still restricts use of some of the modern technology which might otherwise be useful for studying the physical nature of interactions at mineral surfaces. Application of electron spin resonance (ESR) and UV-spectroscopy to complement sorption data on exchangeable and adsorbed metal ions has provided more direct evidence for the extent of metal hydrolysis at surfaces. However, most of our understanding is still based on theoretical models arising from measurements of adsorption, surface charge and curve fitting. Although a great deal of progress has been made over the past 30 years, problems remain in study of adsorption processes. A few of these are: separation of chemisorption from surface precipitation in the conceptual "chemisorption-precipitation continuum", separation of rapid from slow reactions in analysing adsorption isotherms, the understanding of "equilibrium" in relation to adsorption and desorption (slow reactions and hysteresis) and the significance of clayaluminium hydroxide complexes, humusaluminium complexes or surface coatings of aluminium hydroxide on other less soluble oxides for adsorption of metal ions and anions. During the 1960's, when I was seeking to understand the colloid/solution interface and formuIate concepts that were applicable in this field, I would have greatly appreciated the guidance provided by this volume. In particular the clear presentation of the extensive range of the theo-
retical modelling approaches to reactions at surface/aqueous solution interfaces is helpful. The compilation of recent reference material in this volume will also assist researchers. I recommend this volume as an invaluable modern reference for research workers and advanced students interested in this topic. F.J. Hingston, Wembley, W.A. SSDI 0012- 8252(93)E0040-O
Petrology P.A. Floyd, C.S. Exley and M.T. Styles, 1993, Igneous rocks o f South-West England. Chapman
and Hall, London, Hardcover xii + 256 pp. Price: £65.00. ISBN 0-412-48850-7. This volume is one of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Review Series and, at the outset, the authors stress that this volume is not intended as a field guide. It is a series of descriptions of sites that have been selected for conservation, and that together provide perhaps the best exposures of the igneous rocks of South-West England. It also correctly emphasises that many of the sites are on private land, and that access to them has to be arranged with the landowner. Having said this, the volume provides excellent descriptions of many classic localities that are generally accessible to the public. The sites are divided into four groupings: (A) the Lizard ophiolite and melange; (B) volcanics pre-dating the Hercynian orogeny; (C) the Cornubian granite batholith (including the famous Meldon aplite) and (D) the post-orogenic volcanics. Where warranted, as in the case of the Cornubian granites, there are sections on magma chemistry and petrogenesis. Each site description (grid reference given) starts with a statement as to the highlights to be found at the site, followed by an introduction setting the site in its time and geographic context, a description of the outcrop, an interpretation of the outcrop and, finally, a concluding section summing up the relevance of the site relative to
17,000 to 12,400 years ago indicating temperatures possibly 3°C lower, and rainfall no lower, than today. From 12,400 to 8000 B.P. the vegetation was dynamic and difficult to type. Since this time, the Fagaceae have been an important component of the forests and climatic conditions have been generally similar to those of today except perhaps for slightly drier or more variable rainfall from 6000 years B.P. This latter suggestion is very interesting in light of the recent proposal for an increase in climatic variability from this time in the adjacent Australasian region that may relate to an increase in the influence of the Southern Oscillation (McGlone et al., 1992). It is proposed that human interference is evident from as early as 5000 years ago although the initiation of impact was regionally variable. The apparent degree of disturbance within the vegetation through a much longer period must leave open the possibility of earlier human interference. In general terms, the pattern of vegetation changes and their inferred causes are similar to those postulated for the more intensively studied Sumatran region. The monograph is important in filling a significant spatial gap in our knowledge of late Quaternary environments. It will be an important reference for those interested in vegetation and environmental change within the region and on a global scale, and it provides a solid base for more detailed research within the area in the future.
Reference
McGlone, M.S., Kershaw, A.P. and Markgraf, V,, 1992. El Nifio/Southern Oscillation climatic variability in Australasian and South American palaeoenvironmental records. In: H.F. Diaz and V. Markgraf(Editors), El Nifio: Historical and PaleoclimaticAspects of the Southern Oscillation. Cambridge UniversityPress, pp. 419-462. A.P. Kershaw, Melbourne, Vic. SSDI 0012-8252(93)E0039-K
Soil Science
G.H. Bolt, M.F. DeBoodt, M.H.B. Hayes and M.B. McBride (Technical Ed. E.B.A. De-
133
Strooper), 1991. Interactions at the Soil ColloidSoil Solution Interface. N A T O ASI Series E 190. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht. Hardcover 603 pp. Price: Dfl. 280.- ISBN 0-7923-10667. Up-to-date reviews of soil colloid/soil solution interface chemistry in this book are based on presentations given at a workshop in Ghent, which was convened after the 13 th International Congress of ISSS in Hamburg. It is a companion volume to Soil Colloids and Their Associations in Aggregates edited by M.F. DeBoodt, M.H.B. Hayes, A. Herbillon, E.B.A. DeStrooper and J.J. Tuck (published by Plenum, New York in 1990). Chapter 1 serves as a link between the companion and current volumes. Previously reviewed topics, including the nature of soil colloids, clay minerals, soil oxides and oxyhydroxides, humic substances and the soil solution, are re-examined to set the scene for the current work. Succeeding chapters are arranged in four parts, each with an introductory chapter. G.H. Bolt introduces the theoretical treatment of sorption in soil, M.B. McBride selected cases of specific binding of ions by soil constituents, M.H.B. Hayes interactions in soil involving small and large organic molecules and G.H. Bolt, M.F. DeBoodt and M.H.B. Hayes environmental problems associated with unbalanced inputs of fertilizers. As expected of the contributors who are foremost international authorities, the chapters that follow in each part are excellent expositions of current concepts, theory and applications. Complex reactions at colloid/solution interfaces are covered in a comprehensive and remarkably readable manner. In Parts 1 and 2 topics reviewed include the nature of electrochemical effects at surfaces of clay minerals, oxides, hydroxides, clay-aluminium hydroxide complexes and humic substances in relation to heterogeneity, fixed and variable surface charge, specific adsorption (inner sphere complexes), non-specific adsorption (outer sphere, surface ionpairing and diffuse ion swarms), surface complexes, precipitation, nucleation and phase transformations. The effects on surface interactions of characteristics of soil solutions, such as pH, ionic strength and properties of metal
134
Book Reviews~Earth-Science Reviews36 (1994) 131-148
ions, anions, soluble complexes and soluble organic molecules are covered from the applied and theoretical aspects. The practically important reaction kinetics in interactions at oxide surfaces is explored with reference to the unreacted shrinking core (USC) model. In Part 3 soil organic matter interactions with inorganic colloids and its role in sorption processes is reviewed. Sorption of anthropogenic organic chemicals added to soils, which has been the subject for a large amount of research recently because of concerns about pollution, is also reviewed. In Part 4, there are five chapters concerned with applications of studies of reactions at soil/solution interfaces to modern-day problems in soil fertility, pollution and the impact of industrial society on soils. The relative inaccessibility of the interface region still restricts use of some of the modern technology which might otherwise be useful for studying the physical nature of interactions at mineral surfaces. Application of electron spin resonance (ESR) and UV-spectroscopy to complement sorption data on exchangeable and adsorbed metal ions has provided more direct evidence for the extent of metal hydrolysis at surfaces. However, most of our understanding is still based on theoretical models arising from measurements of adsorption, surface charge and curve fitting. Although a great deal of progress has been made over the past 30 years, problems remain in study of adsorption processes. A few of these are: separation of chemisorption from surface precipitation in the conceptual "chemisorption-precipitation continuum", separation of rapid from slow reactions in analysing adsorption isotherms, the understanding of "equilibrium" in relation to adsorption and desorption (slow reactions and hysteresis) and the significance of clayaluminium hydroxide complexes, humusaluminium complexes or surface coatings of aluminium hydroxide on other less soluble oxides for adsorption of metal ions and anions. During the 1960's, when I was seeking to understand the colloid/solution interface and formuIate concepts that were applicable in this field, I would have greatly appreciated the guidance provided by this volume. In particular the clear presentation of the extensive range of the theo-
retical modelling approaches to reactions at surface/aqueous solution interfaces is helpful. The compilation of recent reference material in this volume will also assist researchers. I recommend this volume as an invaluable modern reference for research workers and advanced students interested in this topic. F.J. Hingston, Wembley, W.A. SSDI 0012- 8252(93)E0040-O
Petrology P.A. Floyd, C.S. Exley and M.T. Styles, 1993, Igneous rocks o f South-West England. Chapman
and Hall, London, Hardcover xii + 256 pp. Price: £65.00. ISBN 0-412-48850-7. This volume is one of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Review Series and, at the outset, the authors stress that this volume is not intended as a field guide. It is a series of descriptions of sites that have been selected for conservation, and that together provide perhaps the best exposures of the igneous rocks of South-West England. It also correctly emphasises that many of the sites are on private land, and that access to them has to be arranged with the landowner. Having said this, the volume provides excellent descriptions of many classic localities that are generally accessible to the public. The sites are divided into four groupings: (A) the Lizard ophiolite and melange; (B) volcanics pre-dating the Hercynian orogeny; (C) the Cornubian granite batholith (including the famous Meldon aplite) and (D) the post-orogenic volcanics. Where warranted, as in the case of the Cornubian granites, there are sections on magma chemistry and petrogenesis. Each site description (grid reference given) starts with a statement as to the highlights to be found at the site, followed by an introduction setting the site in its time and geographic context, a description of the outcrop, an interpretation of the outcrop and, finally, a concluding section summing up the relevance of the site relative to