Magnetism is important in environmental studies for several reasons, the two most fundamental being that most substances exhibit some form of magnetic behavior, and that iron is one of the most common elements in the Earth's crust. Once sequestered in a suitable material, magnetic particles constitute a natural archive of conditions existing in former times. Magnetism provides a tracer of paleo-climatic and paleo-environmental conditions and processes.Environmental Magnetism details the occurrence and uses of magnetic materials in the natural environment. The first half of the volume describes the basic principles. The second half discusses the applications of magnetic measurements in various environmental settings on land, in lakes, in the ocean, and even various biological organisms.* Material is broadly applicable to environmental studies* Case histories illustrate key points* Extensive bibliography makes further research quick and easy

The Encyclopedia of Mineralogy provides comprehensive, basic treatment of the science of mineralogy. More than 140 articles by internationally known scholars and research workers describe specific areas of mineralogical interest, and a glossary of 3000 entries defines all valid mineral species and many related mineral names. In addition to traditional topics - descriptions of major structural groups, methods of mineral analysis, and the paragenesis of mineral species - this volume embraces such subjects as asbestiform minerals, minerals found in caves and in living beings, and gems and gemology. It includes current data on the latest in our geological inventories - lunar minerals. It describes the properties, characteristics, and uses of industrial resources such as abrasive materials and Portland cement. A directory will guide traveling mineralogists to the major mineralogical museums of the world, with their special interests noted. Clear technical illustrations supplement the text throughout. To help the student and professional find particular information there are a comprehensive subject index, extensive cross-references of related topics (whether in this volume or others in the series), and reference lists to background information and detailed advanced treatment of all topics. The Encyclopedia of Mineralogy is a valuable reference and source for professionals in all geological sciences, for science teachers at all levels, for collectors and `rock hounds', and for all who are curious about the minerals on earth or those brought back from outer space.

Magnetic Stratigraphy is the most comprehensive book written in the English language on the subject of magnetic polarity stratigraphy and time scales. This volume presents the entirety of the known geomagneticrecord, which now extends back about 300 million years. The book includes the results of current research on sea floor spreading, magnetic stratigraphy of the Pliocene and Pleistocene, and postulations on the Paleozoic. Also included are both historicalbackground and applications of magnetostratigraphy. Individual chapters on correlation are presented, using changes in magnetic properties and secular variation.Key Features* Discusses pioneering work in the use of marine sediments to investigate the Earths magnetic field* Serves as a guide for students wishing to begin studies in magnetostratigraphy* Provides a comprehensive guide to magnetic polarity stratigraphy including up-to-date geomagnetic polarity time scales* Correlates magnetic stratigraphics from marine and non-marine Cenozoic sequences* Details reversal history of the magnetic field for the last 350 million years* Discusses correlation using magnetic dipole intensity changes* Up-to-date correlation of biostratigraphy with magnetic stratigraphy through the late Jurassic

This book provides the background, physical instrumentation and geological aspects behind any study of the magnetic anisotropy of a rock in a comprehensive and practical way. After studying this book, readers in the geosciences will be encouraged to use this simple, rapid and inexpensive technique in their studies of rocks.

Soil Magnetism: Applications in Pedology, Environmental Science and Agriculture provides a systematic, comparative, and detailed overview of the magnetic characterization of the major soil units and the observed general relationships, possibilities, and perspectives in application of rock magnetic methods in soil science, agriculture, and beyond. Part I covers detailed magnetic and geochemical characterization of major soil types according to the FAO classification system, with Part II covering the mapping of topsoil magnetic signatures on the basis of soil magnetic characteristics. The book concludes with practical examples on the application of magnetic methods in environmental science, agriculture, soil pollution, and paleoclimate. - Provides an overview of the major findings of uncontaminated soil profiles and proposes a system of magnetic characteristics - Elucidates the relationship between geochemical and magnetic characteristics of different soil types, providing a basis for wider recognition and application of soil magnetism in classical pedagogical characterization of soils - Covers the peculiarities of the main taxonomic soil groups in terms of magnetic mineralogy and depth variations in concentration, grain size, and phase composition of iron oxides