Diagenesis affects all sediments after their deposition andincludes a fundamental suite of physical, chemical and biologicalprocesses that control the texture, mineralogy and fluid-flowproperties of sedimentary rocks. Understanding the processes andproducts of diagenesis is thus a critical component in the analysisof the evolution of sedimentary basins, and has practicalimplications for subsurface porosity destruction, preservation andgeneration. This in turn is of great relevance to the petroleum andwater industries, as well as to the location and nature of someeconomic mineral deposits. Combines key papers in sandstone diagenesis published inSedimentology over the last 30 years. Records the development of diagenesis from the description ofgrain shapes through provenance, petrography and analyticalgeochemistry to predictive models of diagenetic process. Provides definitions and explanations of the terms and conceptsused in diagenesis. If you are a member of the International Association ofSedimentologists, for purchasing details, please see:http://www.iasnet.org/publications/details.asp?code=RP4

This volume covers the formation and biogeochemistry of a variety of important sediment types from their initial formation through their conversion (diagenesis) to sedimentary rocks. The volume deals with the chemical, mineralogical, and isotopic properties of sediments and sedimentary rocks and their use in interpreting the environment of formation and subsequent events in the history of sediments, and the nature of the ocean-atmosphere system through geological time. Reprinted individual volume from the acclaimed Treatise on Geochemistry, (10 Volume Set, ISBN 0-08-043751-6, published in 2003). - Comprehensive and authoritative scope and focus - Reviews from renowned scientists across a range of subjects, providing both overviews and new data, supplemented by extensive bibliographies - Extensive illustrations and examples from the field

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 first 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.

The topic of sediment diagenesis is of fundamental importance to industry in the evaluation of hydrocarbon and water reservoir rocks. Detailed knowledge of the diagenetic textures, fabrics, and minerals, and a prediction of the regional diagenetic response, partly controls hydrocarbon recovery programmes. In other words, knowledge of the diagenesis can aid (or even control) conservation policy. Similarly, facies and diagenetic trends w.ithin basins can influence exploration policy. This volume incorporates the majority of the principal contributions given to the NATO Advanced Study Institute held in the University of Reading, U.K., from July 12th-25th, 1981, at which the major themes of carbonate and terrigenous clastic sediments were treated sequentially from deposition to deep burial. Eighty selected scientists from twelve NATO and three other countries participated in the Institute. The keynote addresses which acted as the touchstones for discussion are presented here in the expectation that they will stimulate a still wider audience. We gratefully acknowledge the award of a grant from the Scientific Affairs Division of NATO to run the Institute, and also the cooperation of the University of Reading. Mrs. D. M. Powell helped in many ways with the organisation, and also retyped the entire manuscript of this book. A. Parker B. lv. Sellwood vii FACIES, SEQUENCES AND SAND-BODIES OF THE PRINCIPAL CLASTIC DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS T.Elliott Department of Geology University College of Swansea Singleton Park, Swansea SA 2 8PP Wales, U.K.

The first edition appeared fourteen years ago. Since then there have been significant advances in our science that warrant an updating and revision of Sand and Sandstone. The main framework of the first edition has been retained so that the reader can begin with the mineralogy and textural properties of sands and sandstones, progress through their organization and classification and their study as a body of rock, to consideration of their origin-prove nance, transportation, deposition, and lithification-and finally to their place in the stratigraphic column and the basin. The last decade has seen the rise of facies analysis based on a closer look at the stratigraphic record and the recognition of characteristic bed ding sequences that are the signatures of some geologic process-such as a prograding shallow-water delta or the migration of a point bar on an alluvial floodplain. The environment of sand deposition is more closely determined by its place in such depositional systems than by criteria based on textural characteristics-the "fingerprint" approach. Our revi sion reflects this change in thinking. As in the geological sciences as a whole, the concept of plate tectonics has required a rethinking of our older ideas about the origin and accumu lation of sediments-especially the nature of the sedimentary basins.

Fractal geometry allows the description of natural patterns and the establishment and testing of models of pattern formation. In particular, it is a tool for geoscientists. The aim of this volume is to give an overview of the applications of fractal geometry and the theory of dynamic systems in the geosciences. The state of the art is presented and the reader obtains an impression of the variety of fields for which fractal geometry is a useful tool and of the different methods of fractal geometry which can be applied. In addition to specific information about new applications of fractal geometry in structural geology, physics of the solid earth, and mineralogy, proposals and ideas about how fractal geometry can be applied in the reader's field of studies will be put forward.

Advanced textbook outlining the physical, chemical, and biological properties of sedimentary rocks through petrographic microscopy, geochemical techniques, and field study.