Title: The environment : principles and applications /
Authors: Park, Chris.
Publisher: Routledge,
Year: 1997
Subjects: Environmental sciences; Atmosphere; Physical geography; Human ecology; Earth (Planet); Earth (Planet)
Contents: This book is a comprehensive introduction for environmental study, explaining how the environment functions, how environmental systems relate, and the ways in which people and the environment interact. Environment in crisis. The Rio Earth Summit. Environmental hazards and disasters. Global environmental change. Sustainable development. Environmental systems. The River Nile. The Aswan High Dam. What is a system? Biogeochemical cycles. Spaceship earth. Images of the universe. Structure of the universe. The solar system. Dynamics of the universe. Earth as a living organism. Gaia. The lithosphere. Structure of the earth. Interior of the earth. Applications. Radon gas. Underground storage of nuclear waste. Hot springs and geysers. Geothermal energy. Dynamic earth. Plate tectonics. Drifting continents. Sea-floor spreading. Crustal plates. Earth movements and mountain building. Earthquakes. Volcanoes. Earth materials. Rocks and minerals. Weathering. Erosion. The atmosphere. The energy system -- sunlight. Air pollution and environmental change. Ozone. Acid rain. Greenhouse gases. Global warming. Atmospheric processes: temperature, pressure and wind, moisture and precipitation (clouds). Weather systems. Air masses and fronts. Storms. Climate. Global climate. Climate change. The hydrosphere. Drainage basins. River systems. Water resources. Hydropower. Dams. Water resource problems: wetlands, pollution, eutrophication. Floods and floodplains. Drylands. Drought. Deserts. Desertification. Cold and ice. The Arctic and Antartica. Glaciation. Oceans and coasts. Ocean resources. Coasts. The biosphere. Life on earth. Biodiversity. Evolution and extinction. Conservation. Ecosystems, succession and biomes. Global patterns of vegetation. Soil. Nature and development of soils. Classification and distribution of soils. Managing soil resources. Post -Rio environmentalism. Tools for environmental decision-making.