Geochemical Sediments and Landscapes

by David J. Nash (Editor), Sue J. McLaren (Editor)

Overview

This state-of-the-art volume reviews both past work and current research, with contributions from internationally recognized experts. The book is organized into fourteen chapters and designed to embrace the full range of terrestrial geochemical sediments.

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• An up-to-date and comprehensive survey of research in the field of geochemical sediments and landscapes
  
• Discusses the main duricrusts, including calcrete, laterite and silcrete
  
• Considers deposits precipitated in various springs, lakes, caves and near-coastal environments
  
• Considers the range of techniques used in the analysis of geochemical sediments, representing a significant advance on previous texts

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781405182454
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	12/03/2007
Series:	RGS-IBG Book Series , #20
Pages:	488
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.18(d)

About the Author

David J. Nash is Reader in Physical Geography at the University of Brighton. He is widely known for his publications on the links between silcretes, calcretes and landscape evolution in southern Africa, southwest Europe and the UK, as well as his broader research into the geomorphology of dryland regions and Quaternary to recent environmental changes in deserts.

Sue J. McLaren is Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography at the University of Leicester. Her research expertise is in terrestrial geochemical sediments (particularly aeolianites and calcretes), reconstructing palaeoenvironments in drylands, and geoarchaeology. Sue has worked extensively in northern and southern Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as in the Mediterranean and Borneo.

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Geochemical Sediments in Landscapes (David J. Nash and Sue J. McLaren).

2. Calcrete (V. Paul Wright).

3. Laterite and ferricrete (Mike Widdowson).

4. Silcrete (David J. Nash and J. Stewart Ullyott).

5. Aeolianite (Sue J. McLaren).

6. Tufa and travertine (Heather A. Viles and Allan Pentecost).

7. Speleothems (Ian J. Fairchild, Anna Tooth, Andrea Borsato and Silvia Frisia).

8. Rock varnish (Ronald I. Dorn).

9. Lacustrine and palustrine geochemical sediments (Eric P. Verrecchia).

10. Terrestrial evaporites (Allan R. Chivas).

11. Beachrock and intertidal precipitates (Eberhard Gischler).

12. Nitrate deposits and surface efflorescences (Andrew S. Goudie and Elaine Heslop).

13. Analytical techniques for investigating terrestrial geochemical sediments (John McAlister & Bernie J. Smith).

14. Geochemical sediments and landscapes: general summary (Sue J. McLaren and David J. Nash).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This volume provides an excellent introduction to the subject for any undergraduate or taught postgraduate undertaking courses in geomorphology, weathering and soil processes, dryland geomorphology or palaeoenvironmental change and will be a key text for any scientist who is actively researching in the field. It is likely to become an indispensable volume for libraries and academic bookshelves anywhere that geography, earth and environmental sciences are taught."
Ian Candy, Royal Holloway, University of London

"Geochemical Sediments and Landscapes is the long–anticipated update of the quarter century old Chemical Sediments and Geomorphology. It consists of fourteen clearly written, concise, up-to-date discussions of the nature, age and genesis of the major groups of chemical sediments by the leading researchers in the field. It addresses contemporary issues of landscape evolution, environmental change and mineral resource exploration. This is a 'must-have' book for all earth scientists interested in the relationships between chemical precipitates and landscape evolution. The book represents a substantial and significant contribution to our understanding of earth surface processes and as such is a valuable addition to the literature of geomorphologies, hydrologists, sedimentologists, geochemists and soil scientists."
John C. Dixon, University of Arkansas

Editorial Reviews

"The editors of this book have composed an excellent, up-to-date overview of continental chemical deposits. ... This volume contributes substantially to a better understanding of several earth-surface processes. It is a book that many earth scientists interested in geomorphology, weathering, soils and continental paleoenviroments long have waited for." (Journal of Sedimentary Research, January 2009)

"I would highly recommend this text to both students and academics—I will certainly be adding it to my class reading lists." (Geographical Journal, 2009)

From the Publisher