Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

Jackson RW. and Jackson M 1996. Environmental Science: The Natural Environment and Human Impact. Ungman. pp xviii + 370. ISBN 0582 22709 7.£19.99.

The authors have attempted to convey the basic scientific principles needed for an understanding of key environmental processes. 16 chapters divided into two sections, physical and human environment, cover a wide range of ideas. Section one starts with basic atomic physics/chemistry and energy dynamics. Having had these basics, subsequent chapters deal with geology, the atmosphere and biogeochemical cycles. A similar process then takes the reader through biologylecology starting with cells and continuing with population dynamics, communities, ecosystems and terrestrial and aquatic biomes. Section two turns to human impact with land utilisation, extractive industries, energy production and pollution (water, air and land). Four brief case studies (Exxon Valdez, pest control, Chernobyl and Bhopal) complete the work. The aim is laudable, the focus European and the range impressive. Even so, there are a few aspects which a second edition should address. The author's chemistry background is very evident sometimes at the expense of other ideas. Some chapters e.g. geology use less than the latest ideas. Many text references which one could follow were not given at the end of the chapter or elsewhere. These points, although arguably minor in an undergraduate text detract from an otherwise extremely good publication.