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Radioactive fallout in soils, crops and food
377
the role played by the build-up of stable humic materials in the improvement of soils associated with the adoption of long-term gardening systems in localized areas of Brazil and Mexico. In Chapter 9, the humic and fulvic acid fractions from sewage sludges and sludge amended soil are characterized. Of importance here is the change over time of soil humic substances owing to sludge application. The penultimate chapter gives an outline of the basic principles involved with solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the study of organic matter in whole soils. This technique is especially useful for analysis of nitrogen and phosphorus bonded to carbon. In the last chapter, the editors give an overview of the information given in the book and outline challenges for future research on humic substances. In their concluding comments they provide a rationale or perspective by which to view the unique multicomponent and random character of humic substances. Overall, this book is a very useful summary of contemporary views about humic materials in soil and water. Information on new methodology to characterize humic substances is outlined. A useful subject index is provided. More importantly, the objective of presenting the material in the form of selected readings allows those unfamiliar with the topic to gain a useful insight into the complexity of humic substances. M.R. CARTER
Agriculture Canada, Research Station Box 1210 Charlottetown, P.E.L CIA 7M8 Canada
RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT
Radioactive Fallout in Soils, Crops and Food (F.A.O. Soils Bulletin, No. 61 ), by F. Winterhigham. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 1989, 84 pp., US$ 9.00, ISBN: 92-5-102877-X. Radioactive fallout leads to contamination of soils, lower and higher plants and animals and affects the food chain from its base to its top. The problems involved in monitoring the damage of a release occurrence, or hazards of existing fallout, and its containment let alone avoidance, impose a permanent obligation on the various countries and UN bodies and agencies to be in close contact. Especially so when soil and water resources are at risk and food supplies are endangered. The recent Chernobyl nuclear plant failure and the inpact it had on soils, water and on the local and far-off environments, provided
378
a grim reminder of the need for continuous awareness and "damage control capabilities". This review updates previous FAO publications (listed in the review's references) and standardizes units and terms and lists the new radiation and radiative fallout units in current use. The text is split into two sections: (a) Behaviour and Significance of Radioactive Substances Released into Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Ecosystems; (b) Soil and Crop Contamination by Radioactive Fallout. The first section deals very briefly with natural levels of radiation; radioactive hazards and wastes discharge caused by human error; potential accidents; effects on ecological systems; modes of local, national and international interactive anticipatory-counteractive measures; and finally the existing international institutions (FAO/IAEA programs, data collection, storage and retrieval facilities, courses and cooperation), through which management and control of ecosystems under radioactive threat can be attained. The second section deals with: soils as a resource important in the nutrient cycle for forests and plants involved in the food chain; ground water and soil contamination; biological significance of soil contamination to humans, animals and crops; contamination detection and reclamation measures to relieve or reduce radioactive damage to crops, lives and the environment. The discussion emphasizes human health aspects and stresses the need for implementing counter-measures as well as preventive actions. An appendix on national and international involvement in food production, processing and transfer, is added. This bulletin includes lists of references (216 ) and a glossary of terms, units, definitions, etc. Although the reader is referred to various, more detailed manuals and textbooks, or UN agency bulletins, this publication, being so brief yet balanced, almost misses its stated goals of providing "an updated background to the subject in relation to FAO's interests and responsibilities in scientifically accurate, but non-technical language". A. HADAS
Agricultural Research Organisation Division of Soils and Water The Volcani Center P.O. Box 6 Bet-Dagen 50-250 Israel
the role played by the build-up of stable humic materials in the improvement of soils associated with the adoption of long-term gardening systems in localized areas of Brazil and Mexico. In Chapter 9, the humic and fulvic acid fractions from sewage sludges and sludge amended soil are characterized. Of importance here is the change over time of soil humic substances owing to sludge application. The penultimate chapter gives an outline of the basic principles involved with solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the study of organic matter in whole soils. This technique is especially useful for analysis of nitrogen and phosphorus bonded to carbon. In the last chapter, the editors give an overview of the information given in the book and outline challenges for future research on humic substances. In their concluding comments they provide a rationale or perspective by which to view the unique multicomponent and random character of humic substances. Overall, this book is a very useful summary of contemporary views about humic materials in soil and water. Information on new methodology to characterize humic substances is outlined. A useful subject index is provided. More importantly, the objective of presenting the material in the form of selected readings allows those unfamiliar with the topic to gain a useful insight into the complexity of humic substances. M.R. CARTER
Agriculture Canada, Research Station Box 1210 Charlottetown, P.E.L CIA 7M8 Canada
RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT
Radioactive Fallout in Soils, Crops and Food (F.A.O. Soils Bulletin, No. 61 ), by F. Winterhigham. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 1989, 84 pp., US$ 9.00, ISBN: 92-5-102877-X. Radioactive fallout leads to contamination of soils, lower and higher plants and animals and affects the food chain from its base to its top. The problems involved in monitoring the damage of a release occurrence, or hazards of existing fallout, and its containment let alone avoidance, impose a permanent obligation on the various countries and UN bodies and agencies to be in close contact. Especially so when soil and water resources are at risk and food supplies are endangered. The recent Chernobyl nuclear plant failure and the inpact it had on soils, water and on the local and far-off environments, provided
378
a grim reminder of the need for continuous awareness and "damage control capabilities". This review updates previous FAO publications (listed in the review's references) and standardizes units and terms and lists the new radiation and radiative fallout units in current use. The text is split into two sections: (a) Behaviour and Significance of Radioactive Substances Released into Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Ecosystems; (b) Soil and Crop Contamination by Radioactive Fallout. The first section deals very briefly with natural levels of radiation; radioactive hazards and wastes discharge caused by human error; potential accidents; effects on ecological systems; modes of local, national and international interactive anticipatory-counteractive measures; and finally the existing international institutions (FAO/IAEA programs, data collection, storage and retrieval facilities, courses and cooperation), through which management and control of ecosystems under radioactive threat can be attained. The second section deals with: soils as a resource important in the nutrient cycle for forests and plants involved in the food chain; ground water and soil contamination; biological significance of soil contamination to humans, animals and crops; contamination detection and reclamation measures to relieve or reduce radioactive damage to crops, lives and the environment. The discussion emphasizes human health aspects and stresses the need for implementing counter-measures as well as preventive actions. An appendix on national and international involvement in food production, processing and transfer, is added. This bulletin includes lists of references (216 ) and a glossary of terms, units, definitions, etc. Although the reader is referred to various, more detailed manuals and textbooks, or UN agency bulletins, this publication, being so brief yet balanced, almost misses its stated goals of providing "an updated background to the subject in relation to FAO's interests and responsibilities in scientifically accurate, but non-technical language". A. HADAS
Agricultural Research Organisation Division of Soils and Water The Volcani Center P.O. Box 6 Bet-Dagen 50-250 Israel