ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: This book on space geodesy presents pioneering geometrical approaches in the modelling of satellite orbits and gravity field of the Earth, based on the gravity field missions CHAMP, GRACE and GOCE in the LEO orbit. Geometrical approach is also extended to precise positioning in space using multi-GNSS constellations and space geodesy techniques in the realization of the terrestrial and celestial reference frame of the Earth. This book addresses major new developments that were taking place in space geodesy in the last decade, namely the availability of GPS receivers onboard LEO satellites, the multitude of the new GNSS satellite navigation systems, the huge improvement in the accuracy of satellite clocks and the revolution in the determination of the Earth's gravity field with dedicated satellite missions

Description / Table of Contents: The book summarizes the knowledge and experiences concerning the role of halogens during various geochemical processes, such as diagenesis, ore-formation, magma evolution, metasomatism, mineralization, and metamorphism in the crust and mantle of the Earth. It comprises the role of halogens in other terrestrial worlds like volatile-rich asteroids, Mars, and the ice moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Review chapters outline and expand upon the basis of our current understanding regarding how halogens contribute to the geochemical/geophysical evolution and stability of terrestrial worlds overall.

Description / Table of Contents: This work summarizes the historical progression of the field of lithium (Li) isotope studies and provides a comprehensive yet succinct overview of the research applications toward which they have been directed. In synthesizing the historical and current research, the volume also suggests prospective future directions of study. Not even a full decade has passed since the publication of a broadly inclusive summary of Li isotope research around the globe (Tomascak, 2004). In this short time, the use of this isotope system in the investigation of geo- and cosmochemical questions has increased dramatically, due, in part, to the advent of new analytical technology at the end of the last millennium. Lithium, as a light element that forms low-charge, moderate-sized ions, manifests a number of chemical properties that make its stable isotope system useful in a wide array of geo- and cosmochemical research fields.  

Description / Table of Contents: Microorganisms cause mineral precipitation and dissolution and control the distribution of elements in diverse environments at and below the surface of the Earth. Conversely, mineralogical and geochemical factors exert important controls on microbial evolution and the structure of microbial communities. This was the rationale for the Short Course on Geomicrobiology presented by the Mineralogical Society of America on October 18 and 19, 1997, at the Alta Peruvian Lodge in Alta, Utah. Minerals have been known and honored since humans realized their essential contributions to the "terra firma" and stone tools thrust our species on the path of cultural evolution. Microbes are the oldest living creatures, probably inhabiting at least a few salubrious environments on the earth as early as 3.8 billion years ago. At this moment in history we are only beginning to appreciate the intimate juxtaposition and interdependence of minerals and microbes. We have been nudged into this position by the realization that our earth is finite, and the recognition of many global environmental problems that minerals and microbes contribute to, both positively and negatively. In addition, our globe may not be the only site in the solar system where 'life' arose, or may persist. What all of these concerns enunciate is that we as scientists only dimly comprehend our own dynamic "terrestrial halls." This short course and volume have been generated with great enthusiasm for grasping as much as possible of the whole panorama of possibilities that involve both the inorganic and biologic realms . Over 3600 mineral species have been defined and their relationships to each other and the environments in which they form have been documented. This vast data base, collected over the past several hundred years and constantly added to and upgraded, is a monument to the research efforts of many geoscientists focused on the inorganic realm. Much of this data has come from investigators intrigued by the novelty, beauty, and versatility of minerals, direct expressions of the chemistry and physics of geologic processes. We are now adding a new dimension to questions of mineral formation, dissolution, and distribution: what were, are, and will be the contributions of microbes to these basic components of the environment. Microbes have also been known for hundreds of years. However, their small size (0.5 to 5 µm in diameter) and the difficulties associated with identifying a species unless it was grown in the laboratory (cultured), precluded thorough analysis. The advent of molecular biology has only recently made it possible to evaluate microbial evolutionary relatedness (phylogeny) and physiological diversity. These techniques are now being applied to study of microbial populations in natural environments. It is becoming very clear that the surface of Earth is populated by far more species of microbes than there are types of minerals. We are now exploring every portion of the globe and finding the relationships under the rubric "geomicrobiology." The ocean deeps are characterized by a diversity of microorganisms, including those associated with manganese nodules. The profusion and concentration of minerals created at ocean ridges and vents matches the variety of microorganisms, large animals, and plants there. The snowy tops of mountain ranges and glaciers of Antarctica harbor not just ice but whole bacterial communities whose cellular types and activities need elucidation. The equatorial jungles and the deserts, with their enormous diversity of ecological niches, further challenge us. The diversity of geographic, geologic, and biologic environments, including some contributed by humans (e.g. mines, air-conditioning equipment), can now also be explored in detail. Modern studies use protocols developed to preserve or measure in situ chemical and physical characteristics. Electron microscopes allow direct characterization of mineral and biological morphology and internal structures. Spectroscopic techniques permit complimentary chemical analysis, including determination of oxidation states, with very high spatial resolution. Other studies quantitatively measure isotopic abudances. These data serve to distinguish biologically mediated, or biologically controlled formation of the mineral from an abiotic process and mechanism. Each ecological niche requires accurate characterization of the mineralogic and biologic entities in order for us to begin to understand the range of dynamic relationships. We can pose many questions. Is the mineral only a substrate, or is its occurrence and stability impacted by microbiologic activity and metabolic requirements? Which minerals are of microbiological rather than inorganic origin and what are the mechanisms by which organisms dictate the morphology and structure of the solid phase formed? How do organic metabolic products bind metals and change their form and distribution, with implications for metal toxicity and geochemical cycles? How do inorganic reactions such as mineral dissolution and precipitation impact microbial populations through control of their physical and chemical environments? Clearly, new and excitingly research areas exist for all varieties of scientists. Although published by the Mineralogical Society of America, the authors of this volume include microbiologists, molecular biologists, biochemists, biophysicists, bioengineers as well as biomineralogists. Here, they bring together their respective expertise and perspectives to provide disciplinary and interdisciplinary background needed to define and further explore the topic of geomicrobiology. The volume is organized so as to first introduce the nature, diversity, and metabolic impact of microorganisms and the types of solid phases they interact with. This is followed by a discussion of processes that occur at cell surfaces, interfaces between microbes and minerals, and within cells, and the resulting mineral precipitation, dissolution, and changes in aqueous geochemistry. The volume concludes with a discussion of the carbon cycle over geologic time. In detail: Nealson and Stahl acquaint us with the basic properties of prokaryotes, including their size and structure. They define the types and ranges of microorganisms and their metabolisms and describe their impacts on some important biogeochemical cycles. Barns and Nierzwicki-Bauer document the phylogenetic relationships and evolution of microorganisms, begging some fundamental questions that might be now just beyond our grasp: What was the 'last common ancestor'? The physiology, biochemistry and ecology of hyperthermophilic, and the many diverse geologically important microbial species from the lithosphere and hydrosphere, as well as some of the techniques employed, are presented. Banfield and Hamers describe and integrate the processes acting on minerals and at surfaces relevant to microorganisms, examining the factors that control mineralogy, mineral forms, and the stability of phases. Surface properties and reaction rates for dissolution, precipitation, and growth of important classes of minerals are discussed. The possible role of mineral surfaces in formation of prebiotic molecules needed to explain the origin of life is examined. Little, Wagner and Lewandowski describe biofilms, an essential interface between microbes and minerals. They demonstrate that these membranes, with their unique morphological and structural attributes, are sites where much activity related to dissolution and/or formation of minerals takes place. Biology makes it possible to move molecules and elements against a gradient. Many questions regarding the transfer of elements from minerals to microbes at this important heterogeneous interface remain. Fortin, Ferris and Beveridge review surface-mediated mineral development by bacteria. Fresh or oceanic waters, anaerobic or aerobic environments provide discretely different ecologies, bacterial entities, and resulting mineralogies. It is obvious from this presentation that investigators have just scratched the surface of microbial mineralization processes. Bazlinski and Moskowitz review the magnetic biominerals and provide insights into the environmental and biological significance of these few tens of nanometer-sized mineral products. The magnetosome chemistry and biochemistry is probably the best understood of any biologically precipitated mineral. Their formation and unique properties underscore the roles these biomaterials play in the rock magnetic record and in geochemical cycles. Tebo, Ghiorse, van Waasbergen, Siering and Caspi contribute data on the roles of Mnminerals and Mn(II) oxidation in geologic environments. Their chapter encompasses molecular genetic and biochemical investigations. Manganese oxides and oxyhydroxides are notoriously difficult to identify and the crystal chemistry of these phases is a research effort on its own. The prospect of learning how microbes utilize the multiple oxidation states of Mn (2+, 3+ and 4+) as a source of energy sharpens the motivation for interdisciplinary study. Manganese is also known as a cofactor in the production and activation of the enzymes that digest large biomolecules that must be the source of the smaller molecular species and ultimately the building blocks of C, N, 0, H required by all species. How have the mechanisms identified in the bacterial systems been transferred up the phylogenetic tree to plants and humans? This is an expanding and intriguing area for further investigation. DeVrind-de Jong and de Vrind address silicate and carbonate deposition by algae (eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms). This chapter documents the mechanisms of biomineralization of diatoms and coccoliths. These abundant aquatic organisms are responsible for huge volumes of siliceous sediments and calcium carbonate deposits world wide. The implications of algal biomineralization for climatic variation throughout much of the Earth's history may be quite significant. Stone leads us though a quantitative approach to evaluating reactions between organic molecules and cations. He considers available extracellular organic ligands and the roles these play in uptake of metals. He documents the basic chemical speciation and complexation for several elements, making metal to metal comparisons. Remaining challenges involve coordinating the organic and inorganic results of biologic activity. Following the discussion of biomineralization and interactions between organic compounds and cations, Silver discusses the strategies microorganisms have evolved to deal with toxic metal concentrations in solution. Beyond the fundamental biological significance, this has important implications for understanding microbial populations in contaminated environments. The impact on the geochemical form (speciation) and distribution of elements is also discussed. Nordstrom and Southam summarize sulfide mineral oxidation and dissolution kinetics and devote considerable effort to describing the specific contributions of microorganisms, mostly bacteria. Despite the vast amount of accumulated information, many unanswered questions remain. Barker, Welch and Banfield address weathering of silicate minerals. This topic encompasses not only mineralogy but geomorphology, microbiology, and geochemistry. The necessary interdisciplinary mode of these investigations is highlighted by discussion of the role(s) of bacterial nutrition, groundwater chemistry, and biochemistry. There are obvious implications for hazardous waste storage, a currently daunting and politicized topic that requires predictions over thousands to millions of years. Finally, Des Marais treats the long term evolution of the carbon cycle, adopting a biogeochemical view. He discusses the sources, sinks and the transfer of the element over geologic time. Consideration of such a basic series of questions relating to the partitioning of carbon necessitate interdisciplinary crossovers. It is a fitting conclusion to a dialogue in progress.

Description / Table of Contents: Content: Partial table of contents: Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits: What We Do and Don Know (B. Skinner). Magmas and Hydrothermal Fluids (C. Burnham). Thermal Aspects of Ore Formation (L. Cathles). Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotope Relationships in Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits (H. Taylor). Hydrothermal Alteration and Its Relationship to Ore Fluid Composition (M. Reed). Sulfide Ore Mineral Stabilities, Morphologies, and Intergrowth Textures (D. Vaughan & J. Craig). Gangue Mineral Transport and Deposition (J. Rimstidt). Fluid Inclusion Studies of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits (E. Roedder & R. Bodnar). Geothermal Systems and Mercury Deposits (H. Barnes & T. Seward). Submarine Hydrothermal Systems and Deposits (S. Scott). Ore-Forming Brines in Active Continental Rifts (M. McKibben & L. Hardie). Appendix. Index.

Description / Table of Contents: Inhalt: 1 Die Bildung und Umwandlung von organischem Material. - 1.1 Der globale Kohlenstoffzyklus. - 1.1.1 Organische Geochemie und der Kohlenstoffzyklus: eine Einleitung. - 1.1.2 Kohlenstoffspeicher und -transport. - Organismen und der Kohlenstoffzyklus. - Die Anreicherung von organischem Sedimentmaterial. - Abweichungen vom Gleichgewichtszustand. - Marine Primärproduktion und Sedimentation. - 1.1.3 Biochemische und geochemische Subzyklen. - Organisch-reiche Sedimente und Primärproduktion. - 1.2 Photosynthese und die Evolution des Lebens. - 1.2.1 Atmosphärischer Sauerstoff, Photosynthese und die ersten Organismen. - 1.2.2 Evolution des marinen Lebens. - 1.2.3 Evolution des terrestrischen Lebens. - 1.2.4 Regionale Veränderungen von Ökosystemen. - 1.3 Quellen des sedimentären organischen Materials. - 1.3.1 Die wichtigsten heutigen Quellen. - 1.3.2 Fossile Aufzeichnungen der Quellen des organischen Materials. - 1.4 Photosynthese und stabile Kohlenstoffisotope. - 2 Die chemische Zusammensetzung biogener Stoffe. - 2.1 Die Struktur natürlich vorkommender Stoffe. - 2.1.1 Einleitung. - 2.1.2 Bindungen in organischen Verbindungen. - 2.1.3 Stereoisomerie. - 2.2 Kohlenhydrate. - 2.2.1 Zusammensetzung. - 2.2.2 Vorkommen und Funktion. - 2.3 Proteine. - 2.3.1 Zusammensetzung. - 2.3.2 Vorkommen und Funktion. - 2.4 Lipide. - 2.4.1 Glyceride. - Fette. - Phospholipide, Glycolipide und Etherlipide. - 2.4.2 Wachse und verwandte Verbindungen. - Wachse. - Kutin und Suberin. - 2.4.3 Terpene. - Monoterpene. - Sesquiterpene. - Diterpene. - Triterpene. - Steroide. - Tetraterpene. - 2.4.4 Tetrapyrrole Farbstoffe. - 2.5 Lignin, Tannin und verwandte Verbindungen. - 2.5.1 Lignin. - 2.5.2 Tannine und andere hydroxyaromatische Pigmente. - 2.6 Geochemische Auswirkungen der Veränderungen der Zusammensetzung. - 2.6.1 Veränderungen der Zusammensetzung von Organismen. - 2.6.2 Veränderungen durch die geologische Zeit. - 3 Bedingungen für die Bildung organisch-reicher Sedimente. - 3.1 Einleitung. - 3.2 Kontrollierende Faktoren der Primärproduktion. - 3.2.1 Die Schichtung der Wassersäule. - 3.2.2 Licht. - 3.2.3 Nährstoffe. - Ozeane in niedrigen Breitengraden. - Ozeane in mittleren Breitengraden. - Ozeane in höheren Breitengraden. - Geschichtete Seen. - 3.2.4 Räumliche Veränderungen der marinen Primärproduktion. - 3.2.5 Veränderungen der Phytoplanktonpopulationen. - 3.3 Die Erhaltung und der Abbau organischen Materials. - 3.3.1 Die Entwicklung der Primärproduktion in der Wassersäule. - 3.3.2 Der Werdegang des organischen Materials in den Sedimenten. - Der aerobe Abbau. - Der anaerobe Abbau. - Bakterielle Gemeinschaften und ihre Wechselwirkungen. - 3.3.3. Kontrollierende Faktoren bei der Erhaltung des organischen Sedimentmaterials. - 3.4 Ablagerungsbereiche. - 3.4.1 Lakustrine Bereiche. - Offene Seen. - Geschlossene Seen. - 3.4.2 Torfsümpfe und Kohlenbildung. - Okefenokee-Sumpf. - 3.4.3 Marine Bereiche. - Marine Schelfablagerungen. - Eingeschlossene und durch Schwellen abgetrennte Becken. - Bildung und Erhaltung organischen Materials im Schwarzen Meer. - Reduzierende Ereignisse der Kreide. - 4 Die Bildung von Huminstoffen, Kohle und Kerogen. - 4.1 Diagenese. - 4.1.1 Einleitung. - 4.1.2 Der mikrobielle Abbau des organischen Materials während der Diagenese. - 4.1.3 Die Bildung von Geopolymeren. - 4.2 Huminstoffe. - 4.2.1 Vorkommen und Klassifizierung. - 4.2.2 Komposition und Struktur. - 4.2.3 Die Bildung der Huminstoffe. - 4.3 Kohlen. - 4.3.1 Klassifizierung und Zusammensetzung. - Klassifizierung. - Petrologische Zusammensetzung. - Chemische Zusammensetzung. - 4.3.2 Die Bildung. - Torfbildung. - Die biochemische Stufe der Inkohlung. - Die geochemische Stufe der Inkohlung. - Strukturelle Veränderungen während der Bildung der Kohlen. - 4.4 Kerogen. - 4.4.1 Bildung. - Geopolymerbildung während der Diagenese. - Biomarker. - Schwefeleinbindung. - 4.4.2 Zusammensetzung des Kerogens. - 4.4.3 Klassifizierung des Kerogens. - Typ I-Kerogen. - Typ II-Kerogen. - Typ III-Kerogen. - Typ IV-Kerogen. - Verbesserte Kerogentypisierung. - 4.4.4 Die thermische Evolution des Kerogens. - Strukturelle Veränderungen. - Veränderungen der chemischen Zusammensetzung. - 5 Die Bildung und Zusammensetzung von Petroleum. - 5.1 Petroleumbildung. - 5.1.1 Einleitung. - 5.1.2 Kohlenwasserstoffbildung aus Kohlen. - 5.1.3 Kohlenwasserstoffzusammensetzung als Funktion der Kerogenreife. - 5.1.4 Reaktionen bei der Kohlenwasserstoffbildung. - Isotopenfraktionierung. - 5.2 Die Bedeutung von Zeit und Temperatur bei der Petroleumbildung. - 5.2.1 Der Einfluß von Zeit und Temperatur auf die Kohlenwasserstoffgeneration. - Temperatur. - Zeit. - 5.2.2 Kinetische Modelle der Petroleumbildung. - Zeit-Temperatur-Index. - Komplexe Modelle. - 5.3 Die Migration von Kohlenwasserstoffen. - 5.3.1 Primäre Migration. - Mechanismen der primären Migration. - Expulsionseffizienz. - 5.3.2 Sekundäre Migration. - 5.3.3 Fallen und Speicher. - 5.4 Die Zusammensetzung des Petroleums. - 5.4.1 Die Gesamtzusammensetzung von Erdölen. - 5.4.2 Kohlenwasserstoffe im Petroleum. - Die wichtigsten Kohlenwasserstoffe. - Biomarker. - 5.4.3 Vergleich der Rohölzusammensetzung mit dem Bitumen der Muttergesteine. - Migration. - Auswaschung. - Deasphaltierung. - Biodegradation. - Thermische Veränderungen. - 5.5 Die Vorkommen fossiler Brennstoffe. - 5.5.1 Die zeitliche Verteilung der fossilen Brennstoffe. - 5.5.2 Ölreserven. - Konventionelle Öle. - Schweröle. - Ölschiefer. - 5.5.3 Kohle. - 5.5.4 Gas. - 5.6 Die Bewertung von Erdöl- und Erdgasmuttergesteinen. - 5.6.1 Menge und Art des organischen Materials. - Menge des organischen Materials. - Typ des organischen Materials - optische Methoden. - Typ des organischen Materials - physikalisch-chemische Methoden. - 5.6.2 Reife des organischen Materials. - Optische Bestimmungen der Reife. - Pyrolytische Messungen der Reife. - Einfluß der Reife auf die Identifizierung des organischen Materials. - Chemische Bestimmungen der Reife anhand des Bitumens. - 5.6.3 Korrelationen zwischen Isotopenverteilung und Petroleummuttergestein. - 6 Die molekulare Bewertung rezenter Sedimente. - 6.1 Von Organismen vererbte Biomarkerverteilungen. - 6.1.1 Einleitung. - 6.1.2 Generelle Unterschiede zwischen den Hauptorganismengruppen. - 6.1.3 Faktoren, die die Lipidzusammensetzung der Organismen beeinflussen. - 6.2 Beispiele für Quellenindikatoren in rezenten Sedimenten. - 6.2.1 Fettsäuren. - Monoungesättigte Fettsäuren. - Polyungesättigte Fettsäuren. - 2- und 3-methylverzweigte Fettsäuren. - Intern-verzweigte und Cycloalkylfettsäuren. - Hydroxyfettsäuren. - 6.2.2 Sterole. - 6.2.3 Kohlenhydrate. - 6.2.4 Lignin. - 6.2.5 Kohlenstoffisotope. - 6.3 Die Diagenese auf molekularer Ebene. - 6.3.1 Allgemeine diagenetische Prozesse. - Kohlenhydrate und Lignine. - Biomarker. - 6.3.2 Die Lipiddiagenese in der Wassersäule. - 6.3.3 Die sedimentäre Diagenese der Lipide. - Fettsäuren. - Photosynthetisch aktive Farbstoffe. - Steroide. - Terpene. - 6.4 Paleotemperaturmessungen. - 6.4.1 Die Epimerisierung von Aminosäuren. - 6.4.2 Der Sättigungsgrad in langkettigen Ketonen. - 7 Molekulare Untersuchungen an Sedimenten und die Petroleumbildung. - 7.1 Quellenindikatoren. - 7.1.1 Einleitung. - 7.1.2 Kohlenwasserstoffe. - Normale und methyl-verzweigte Alkane. - Acyclische Isoprene. - Cycloalkane. - 7.1.3 Kohlenstoffisotope. - 7.2 Hinweise auf den Ablagerungsbereich. - 7.2.1 Hypersalinität. - 7.2.2 Redoxbedingungen. - Phytoldiagenese. - Nickel- und Vanadiumverteilungen. - 7.2.3 Die Erkennung unterschiedlicher mariner und lakustriner Bereiche. - 7.3 Thermische Reife und molekulare Umwandlungen. - 7.3.1 Strukturisomerie. - Acyclische Isoprenalkane. - Sterane. - Triterpane. - 7.3.2 Aromatisierung. - 7.3.3 Anreicherung von kurzkettigen Kohlenwasserstoffen und Crackprozesse. - Steroide. - Porphyrine. - 7.4 Molekulare Reife und Quellenparameter in der Erdölexploration. - 7.4.1 Molekulare Reifeparameter. - Leichte Kohlenwasserstoffe. - Kohlenstoffpräferenz-Index (Carbon Preference Index). - Pristanformations-Index. - Biomarker-Umwandlungen. - Methylgruppenisomerisierung in aromatischen Kohlenwasserstoffen. - 7.4.2 Der Einfluß von geothermischen Gradienten auf molekulare Reifeparameter. - 7.4.3 Öl/Muttergesteins-Korrelationen. - 7.5 Die Analyse der Biomarker-Kohlenwasserstoffe. - 7.5.1 Einleitung. - 7.5.2 Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie. - 7.5.3 Die Bewertung der Biomarkerverteilungen. - 8 Das Verhalten anthropogener organischer Verbindungenin der Umwelt. - 8.1 Einleitung. - 8.2 Der Einfluß des Menschen auf den Kohlenstoffzyklus. - 8.2.1 Kohlendioxid und der Treibhauseffekt. - 8.2.2 Der Einfluß von Spurengasen auf die globale Erwärmung. - Methan. -Kohlenmonoxid. - Dimethylsulfide. - 8.2.3 Eutrophierung. - 8.3 Halogenkohlenwasserstoffe und Abbau des Ozons. - 8.4 Verschmutzungen durch Kohlenwasserstoffe im aquatischen Bereich. - 8.4.1 Die Verbrennung fossiler Brennstoffe. - Polycyclische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe in rezenten Sedimenten. - Polycyclische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe in vorzeitlichen Sedimenten. - 8.4.2 Ölverschmutzungen. - Die Effekte der Ölverschmutzung. - Die Überwachung von Ölverschmutzungen. - 8.5 Einige xenobiotische organische Substanzen. - 8.5.1 DDT und verwandte Verbindungen. - 8.5.2 Polychlorierte Biphenyle. - 8.6 Faktoren, die den Werdegang anthropogener Einträge beeinflussen. - 8.6.1 Allgemeine Betrachtungen. - 8.6.2 Huminstoffe und Schadstoffe. - Literatur. - Weiterführende Literatur. - Sachregister

Description / Table of Contents: The authors of this volume presented a short course on the rare earth elements to about 80 participants in San Francisco, California, December 1-3, 1989, just prior to the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union.

Description / Table of Contents: Contents: 1 The roots of isotope geology. - 2 The internal structure of atoms. - 3 Decay mechanisms of radioactive atoms. - 4 Radioactive decay and growth. - 5 Mass spectrometry. - 6 The K-Ar method of dating. - 7 The 40Ar/39Ar method of dating. - 8 The Rb-Sr method of dating. - 9 Isotope systematics in two-component mixtures. - 10 Isotope geology of strontium in meteorites and terrestrial igneous rocks. - 11 Isotope geology of strontium in sedimentary rocks. - 12 The Sm-Nd method of dating. - 13 Isotope geology of neodymium and strontium in igneous rocks. - 14 Isotope geology of neodymium in sedimentary rocks. - 15 The Lu-Hf method of dating. - 16 The Re-Os method of dating. - 17 The K-Ca method of dating. - 18 The U, Th-Pb methods of dating. - 19 The isotope geology of lead. - 20 The fission-track and other radiation -damage methods of dating. - 21 The U-series disequilibrium methods of dating. - 22 Cosmogenic carbon-14 and tritium. - 23 Cosmogenic radionuclides. - 24 Oxygen and hydrogen in the hydrosphere and the atmosphere. - 25 Oxygen and hydrogen in the lithosphere. - 26 Carbon. - 27 Nitrogen. - 28 Sulfur. - Appendix I The geological time scale for the Phanerozoic Eon. - Index

Description / Table of Contents: Contents: Preface. - List of contributors. - 1. Mathematical models for the interpretation of environmental radioisotopes in groundwater systems. - 2. Isotopes in cloud physics: multiphase and multistage condensation processes. - 3. Environmental isotopes in lake studies. - 4. Environmental isotope and anthropogenic tracers of recent lake sedimentation. - 5. Stable isotope geochemistry of travertines. - 6. Isotope geochemistry of carbonates in the weathering zone. - 7. Geochronology and isotopic geochemistry of speleothems. - 8. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope geochemistry of deep basin brines. - 9. Isotope effects of nitrogen in the soil and biosphere. - 10. Chlorine-36 in the terrestrial environment. - 11. Radioactive noble gases in the terrestrial environment. - 12. Isotopes and food.