Clays in the Critical Zone

A review of clays and clay minerals related to the geological, biological and material sciences in the Critical Zone.

Paul A. Schroeder (Author)

9781107136670, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 August 2018

252 pages
25.2 x 16.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.71 kg

'… this book is a very useful addition to the subject of the critical zone, weathering and soils. All students will wish to consult it … It certainly achieves that aim with a wide and impressive coverage of the key topics.' Stephen Hillier, Elements

Clays and clay minerals are the most abundant natural reactive solids on the Earth's surface. This comprehensive review considers clay science in the context of the Critical Zone - the Earth's permeable near-surface layer. Providing information on clays and clay minerals related to geological, biological and material sciences in the Critical Zone, it's well suited for graduate students and researchers interested in clay science, and environmental and soil mineralogy. The book starts with an introduction to clays and clay minerals, their historic background, and a review of how clay science impacts the Critical Zone. Examples and applications demonstrate how clays regulate habitats and determine the availability of other resources. These examples are supported by quantitative field data, including numerical and graphical depictions of clay and clay mineral occurrences. The book concludes by covering Critical Zone clay geochemistry and clay sequences, including the industrial, synthetic medical and extra-terrestrial world of clay science.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. What are clays and what it the Critical Zone?
2. History of clay and Critical Zone science
3. Characterization of clays
4. Critical Zone clay geochemistry
5. Critical Zone clay sequences
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Rocks, minerals & fossils [WNR], Soil & rock mechanics [TNCC], Environmental management [RNF], Petrology [RBGG], Soil science, sedimentology [RBGB]