Diagenesis refers to changes taking place in sediments after deposition. In a theoretical treatment of early diagenesis, Robert Berner shows how a rigorous development of the mathematical modeling of diagenetic processes can be useful to the understanding and interpretation of both experimental and field observations. His book is unique in that the models are based on quantitative rate expressions, in contrast to the qualitative descriptions that have dominated the field. In the opening chapters, the author develops the mathematical theory of early diagenesis, introducing a general diagenetic equation and discussing it in terms of each major diagenetic process. Included are the derivations of basic rate equations for diffusion, compaction, pore-water flow, burial advection, bioturbation, adsorption, radioactive decay, and especially chemical and biochemical reactions. Drawing on examples from the recent literature on continental-margin, pelagic, and non-marine sediments, he then illustrates the power of these diagenetic models in the study of such deposits. The book is intended not only for earth scientists studying sediments and sedimentary rocks, but also for researchers in fields such as radioactive waste disposal, petroleum and economic geology, environmental pollution, and sea-floor engineering.

Diagenesis is a highly developed, interdisciplinary field of study. It is reciprocal in that it borrows from numerous scientific or technological specialities and then, in turn, repays them with useful results. Too often, however, the information gained and concepts developed remain unintegrated instead of being utilized quickly by several related earth-science fraternities. This volume, the second of a multi-volume work, attempts to bring together such information, thereby assisting the individual and the research group in keeping up with the data explosion. There is no end in sight to diagenetic research because of its wide practical and intellectual appeals. Consequently, periodic reviews, such as presented in this volume, are greatly needed.

This book provides an up-to-date compilation of the latest research on the petrography, facies, paleonvironmental significance and economic aspects of continental carbonates. The overall organization of the book first emphasizes the descriptive aspects and processes operating on carbonate deposits in greatly varied settings, and then considers applications for basin analysis, as well as economic and historical aspects. This volume will be a valuable tool for graduate and postgraduate students as well as for experienced researchers. The second part (volume 62 in this series) will deal with the geochemistry, diagenesis and applications of carbonates in continental settings. Covering the greatly varied aspects of carbonate deposits from continental settings deposits Clear and easy to follow organization Up to date information, so readers can find references from the classic literature to the most recent research

Geological research on the continental Permian in West Central and South Europe has been neglected in l l former days. Nevertheless, interest in it increased in the last twenty years and became important owing to the problems connected with continental sedimentation and also because of the important discoveries of oill gas and uranium deposits. Therefore, detailed inves l tigations in all countries where continental Permian appears have been made with the help of boreholes. These investigations included sedimentation basins in which the above-mentioned deposits are not expected. Consequently, the numerous results received in connec tion with still unanswered questions led to the idea to invite the specialists to a meeting. The first meeting was held in Pisa 1966 and a further one in 1 Vienna 1969. Both conferences exclusively dealed with the deposits of the Verrucano province, both in the Alps and Apennines. With respect to the importance of such meetings a further one was intended to be arranged in Mainz dealing with the whole continental Permian in West Central, and South Europe. With financial help l of the,NATO Scientific Affairs Division this meeting could be arranged as a NATO Advanced Study Institute.