For the past 3.8 billion years, the geochemistry of the Earth's surface - its atmosphere, waters and exposed crust - has been determined by the presence of biota. Photosynthetic organisms exposed the Earth's surface to oxygen, denitrifying bacteria have maintained the nitrogen concentration in Earth's atmosphere, and land plants have determined the rate of chemical weathering. Life determines the global biogeochemical cycles of the elements of biochemistry, especially C, N, P and S. Volume 8 traces the origin and impact of life on the geochemistry of the Earth's surface, with special emphasis on the current human impact on global biogeochemical cycles. Reprinted individual volume from the acclaimed Treatise on Geochemistry, (10 Volume Set, ISBN 0-08-043751-6, published in 2003)

Traces impact of life on the geochemistry of the Earth's surface

About the Author
Dr. Schlesinger is one of the nation's leading ecologists and earth scientists and a passionate advocate for translating science for lay audiences. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, he has served as dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke and president of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. He lives in Down East Maine and Durham, N.C. and continues to analyze the impacts of humans on the chemistry of our natural environment.

Reviews
"This book is a magnificent information source that fully complies with the editor's self-set goal and serves both advanced students and specialists. This volume and the entire Treatise on Geochemistry series should expect a very wide distribution thanks to the successful effort of the executive editors and the volume editor." --Jorg Matschillat for Environmental Geology, 2006"Most of the chapters in this volume are easy and agreeable to read. They avoid long historical description of the evolution of the subject and are generally well focused on the latest developments of our knowledge. This is well reflected in the references cited which are mainly covering the last ten years (except for chapters 3 and 4). ...The Treatise on Geochemistry is without any doubt a very useful reference book for a large scientific community and especially for students and teachers." --R. Wollast, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium"The book is easy to read and should be a reference for students and teachers in geochemistry, ecology, and earth sciences, especially those interested in global change or environmental chemistry." --International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 2005



Book Information
ISBN 9780080446424
Author W.H. Schlesinger
Format Paperback
Page Count 720
Imprint Elsevier Science Ltd
Publisher Elsevier Science & Technology
Weight(grams) 1700g