Preface to the
Second Edition
In revision of this book we have tried to respond to constructive criticism from
reviewers and students who have used the book and at the same time have pruned
and grafted various sections where our own experience as teachers has prompted
change. Not least, of course, science has moved on in the eight years since we
prepared the first edition, so we have had to make some substantial changes to
keep up with these developments, especially in the area of global change.
We have tried to retain the ethos of the first edition, using concise and clear
examples of processes that emphasize the chemistry involved. We have also tried
to highlight how the chemistry, processes or compounds interlink between the
chapters and sections, so that no compartment of environmental science is viewed
in isolation.
The substantial changes include more emphasis on organic chemistry, soils,
contaminants in continental water and remediation of contaminated land. To do
this effectively, the terrestrial environments chapter from the first edition has
been split into two chapters dealing broadly with solids and water. We have re-
organized the box structure of the book and have placed some of the original box
material, augmented by new sections, to form a new chapter outlining some of
the basic chemical principles that underpin most sections of the book.
Much of the new material has been prepared by Brian Reid, who, in 1999,
joined us in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East
Anglia. Brian has very much strengthened the organic chemistry dimension of
the book and we are very pleased to welcome him to the team of authors.
Julian Andrews, Peter Brimblecombe, Tim Jickells, Peter Liss and Brian Reid
University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK