Isotope Geology
Cambridge University Press, 12/4/2008
EAN 9780521862288, ISBN10: 0521862280
Hardcover, 512 pages, 25.4 x 17 x 2.8 cm
Language: English
Radiogenic and stable isotopes are used widely in the earth sciences to determine the ages of rocks, meteorites and archeological objects, and as tracers to understand geological and environmental processes. Isotope methods determine the age of the Earth, help reconstruct the climate of the past, and explain the formation of the chemical elements in the Universe. This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to both radiogenic and stable isotope techniques. An understanding of the basic principles of isotope geology is important in a wide range of the sciences: geology, astronomy, paleontology, geophysics, climatology, archeology, and others. Written by one of the world's most respected and best-known geochemists, this full color textbook will be invaluable for all undergraduate and graduate courses on the topic, and is an excellent reference text for scientists. There are problems at the end of each chapter, with password-protected solutions available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521862288.
Acknowledgements; Preface; 1. Isotopes and radioactivity; 2. The principles of radioactive dating; 3. Radiometric dating methods; 4. Dating by cosmogenic isotopes; 5. Uncertainties and results of radiometric dating; 6. Radiogenic isotope geochemistry; 7. Stable isotope geochemistry; 8. Isotope geology and dynamic reservoir analysis; References; Appendix; Index.
'I can rave about many … aspects of this book. The most striking is Allègre's amazing ability to articulate concepts through simple and elegant figures and prose … Allègre's book represents a long-awaited contribution, which complements those by Faure and Dickin… This book is accessible to all, not just geochemists, but also geophysicists. last, I much prefer the purple-laced Kadinsky cover of the original French edition, as it looks much prettier on my bookshelf.' Elements
'… written by one of the most recognized and appreciated scientists in the field of geochemistry … Allègre always stays in close connection with geological or cosmic processes, thus making a reader immediately aware of the relevance and significance of isotopes in earth and planetary sciences.' Robert Anczkiewicz, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland