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For the past 4 billion years, the chemistry of the Earth's surface, where all life exists, has changed remarkably. Historically, these changes have occurred slowly enough to allow life to adapt and evolve. In more recent times, the chemistry of the Earth is being altered at a staggering rate, fueled by industrialization and an ever-growing human population. Human activities, from the rapid consumption of resources to the destruction of the rainforests and the expansion of smog-covered cities, are all leading to rapid changes in the basic chemistry of the Earth.
The Third Edition of Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change considers the effects of life on the Earth's chemistry on a global level. This expansive text employs current technology to help students extrapolate small-scale examples to the global level, and also discusses the instrumentation being used by NASA and its role in studies of global change. With the Earth's changing chemistry as the focus, this text pulls together the many disparate fields that are encompassed by the broad reach of biogeochemistry. With extensive cross-referencing of chapters, figures, and tables, and an interdisciplinary coverage of the topic at hand, this text will provide an excellent framework for courses examining global change and environmental chemistry, and will also be a useful self-study guide.
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Origins
3. The Atmosphere
4. The Lithosphere
5. The Biosphere: The Carbon Cycle of Terrestrial Ecosystems
6. The Biosphere: Biogeochemical Cycling on Land
7. Wetland Ecosystems
8. Inland Waters
9. The Oceans
10. The Global Water Cycle
11. The Global Carbon Cycle
12. The Global Cycles of Nitrogen and Phosphorus
13. The Global Cycles of Sulfur and Mercury
14. Perspectives
References
Index
"[The third edition of] the now classic text by Bill Schlesinger not only updates, but expands upon the earlier editions. This is a must read, 'one stop shop' for a basic, yet detailed text on contemporary biogeochemical cycles, writ large. While the author does describe basic cycles in an historical context, the primary focus is on contemporary cycles, their interactions, and the effects of humans on them. A tour de force that will be referred to often, the book is a must-read for anyone working in the general area of biogeochemistry."
– Paul Falkowski, Rutgers University
"A comprehensive treatment of the field of Biogeochemistry, which is both expanding rapidly and becoming increasingly important for helping identify sustainability. We can't all be specialists on all of these topics, but this book will quickly bring you up to speed on a full range of biogeochemical processes and cycles. A read and reference for every serious Earth Systems scientist and student."
– Eric Davidson, The Woods Hole Research Center
"The new edition of William Schlesinger's Biogeochemistry offers a clearly written, well-documented introduction to what every person should know if we are to navigate successfully to a sustainable future for our planet."
– Michael McElroy, Harvard University
