Hoffman, Douglas W.

English

University of New Brunswick: Centre for Digital Scholarship Journals

GeoscienceCanada.Volume 3, Number t . February. 1976 59 Soil Components, Volume 2, Inorganic Components Edited by John E. Gieseking Springer- Verlag, New York, 684 p., 1975. $84.00 Reviewed by Douglas W. Hoffman Centre lor Resources Developmenf University of Guelph Guelph Ontario. N1G 2W1 Here is a book of great interest tothe geologist and the soil scientist. The study of the different mineral species contained in the rocks that make up the earth's crust is primarily the domain of the geologist and mineralogist. However, minerals are important to soil formation and plant nutrition and familiarity with the principles of mineralogy is of great importance to the pedologist. As Professor Gieseking has stated, "...much ofthis volume isdevoted to the arrangement of ions in crystalline mlneral particles occurring in soils and the properties that these particles contribute to soil systems." In addition. the book provides a comprehensive reference lor researchers in fields other than pedology. This volume comprises 17 papers written by some of the best known researchers in the field. Each paper is a scholarly evaluation of the work conducted by the author and others in hls area of concentration. Most of the chapters deal with the nature, occurrence, structure, properties and methods of study of minerals such as s~licates, micas, smectites. kaolins. vermiculites, chlorites, interstratified clay mlnerals, fibrous minerals, allophane. feldspars, heavy minerals and blol~lhs. Water in so~lsandanalytical techniques for characterizing so11 mlnerals are discussed In the last few chapters. The text opens w~th a modest account of the classification of soil sll~cates and ox~des. Six types of silicates are recognized from the manner in which SiO, tetrahedra occur in the structure, and two systems of nomenclature have been employed. Since silicates are the most common minerals on the earth's crust one might have expected a somewhat more comprehensive Statement of their role in soils at this juncture. However, the author's objective is to set the stage for the information concerning silicate minerals that follows and this is done with skill by presenting their classification. This first chapter is followed by two chapters dealing with micas. The descriptions of mica morphology are well done although they may b2 too detailed for readers except those whose expertise has been gained by studying these minerals in particular. The same procedure is followed in ensuing chapters. Each mineral group is classified, described and its role in soils is given. There are, of course, a few exceptions. For example, little is said about the role of.chlorites in soils in Chapter 7 which is devoted to them. However, the function of mixed-layer chlorites in soil is covered in the following chapter which may make up for any such omission. In general. though, there are remarkably few omissions. The review of feldspars as geologic thermometers is of interest to both geologists and pedotogists and Chapter 1 1 dealing with the oxides and hydrous oxides of silicon is essential reading for anyone involved in studying soil development. The decomposition of primary silicates, the translocation of silica in solution and the deposition of silica are established featues of soil formation. In addition, knowledge of the nature and transformation of silica in soils is essential for an appreciation of many soil-plant phenomena. Chapter 11 applies much of that knowledge through the manuscript and its references. The references given in this book are particularly good. It is regretable that few references, if any, are more recent that 1968. Indeed. most are 1965 or older. This 1s likely due to various problems which delayed publication The book needs a section which ties the varlous chapters together. Some attempt has been made to point out the relationships among the various soil components but 11 would have been helpful. at least to some readers. if greater efforts had been made to integrate the information. So11 Components volume 2 will be wldely used as a reference. Its high cost will likely keep it off the bookshelves of Individual researchers and that is a pity. MS rece~ved September 17,1975 Planetary Geology By Nicholas M. Short Prenfice-Hall, Inc.. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 361 p., 1975. $1 7.95 Reviewed by D. W. Strangway Chairman Department of Geology University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario M5S I A  1 In the past few years our knowledge of lunar and planetary geology has expanded with the intensive exploration of the moon and the terrestrial planets. The explosion in knowledge has been so great that we can almost consider that there has been a second revolution in the earth sciences. This revolution has involved many facets, not the least of which is the emergence of the geoscientist as a major influence in the use of high quality analytical tools. Already these effects have had major effects on the practice of almost every aspect of geology. It has been difficult to get access to suitable material for teaching courses which have the moon and planets as a central theme. The arrival of this new text by Nick Short goes a long way to alleviate this problem. While few people will choose to use it as a formal text, it is the best and most current source I know covering the material. An earlier book by Hartmann.MoonsandP/anets, has been useful and a recent book by RossTaylor, Lunar Science: A Posf-ApoNo View, is a useful summary of lunar science. It has been useful to have a single source of information lor reference. The first two chapters. A Prologue, and The Solar System, are general background material. The following two chapters. Meteorites, and The Origin of Planets are especially useful in a book of this type which sets the stage for planetary studies. The next seven chapters are adequate summaries of our new view of the Moon. The author has skillfully woven in information about the miss~ons which help topre~ervetheexcitementof the Apollo and the pre-Apollo excursions while retaining a good content of scientific material. As one might expect the chapter on cratering is especially well done. The section on geophysics tends to be experiment- oriented rather than addressing 

Soil Components, Volume 2, Inorganic Components

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Soil Components, Volume 2, Inorganic Components

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