Biogeochemistry of Trace Metals is a compendium of the most recent information available on the effects of trace metals in soil quality and its potential threat on the transfer of these contaminants to consumers. Most of the chapters in the book were presented as papers during the First International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (formerly Metals in Soils, Plants, Waters, and Animals) held in Orlando, Florida in May, 1990. Topics discussed include background levels of metals in soils and/or plants (covering western Europe; temperate, humid Europe; and the People's Republic of China); metal cycling and transfer in the food chain in agroecosystems; uptake and accumulation of metals by bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates; mechanistic aspects of metals; the microbial aspects of soil selenium losses; and manganese sorption on soil constituents.

This book addresses Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS), which has gained worldwide acceptance as an analytical technique. FAAS offers 100-1000 times better determination and detection limits than other techniques for a majority of the elements. This technique requires a small sample size, and demands less sample-preparation time than others. The handbook is a collection of thousands of references for detection and determination of various elements in agricultural products, biological and clinical samples, and metallurgical and electronic materials. Each chapter is devoted to an element or a similar group of elements. Included are instrumental setup parameters, references, and author and subject indexes. Also presented are detailed appendixes covering glossary, list of manufacturers of spectrophotometers and its accessories, list of chemical suppliers, and list of reviews and abstracts. The handbook covers topics such as heavy metals, clinical products, and trace metal analysis. This desk-top reference is meant for chemists who handle day-to-day analysis problems in laboratories in government, clinical, industrial and academic settings. It is invaluable for those involved in research in environmental science, analytical chemistry, clinical chemistry and forensic science.

The application of fractals and fractal geometry in soil science has become increasingly important over the last few years. This self-contained and timely book was designed to provide detailed and comprehensive information on the current status of the application of fractal geometry in soil science, and on prospects for its future use. With a detailed and specific introductory chapter, particular attention is paid to comparing and contrasting "fractal" and "fragmentation" concepts. Some uses of fractals, such as to quantify the retention and transport properties of soils, to describe the intricate geometry of pore surfaces and macropore networks, or to elucidate the rooting patterns of various plants, are discussed. Applications of fractals in soil science are both relatively recent and in constant evolution. This book reflects accurately existing trends, by allowing sharp differences among the viewpoints expressed in contributed chapters to be presented to the reader in one self-contained volume.