Jacobson Michael C. - Earth system science: from biogeochemical cycles to global changes

Theodore L Anderson, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Box 351640, Seattle, WA 981951640, USA

Sharon E. Anthony, Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505, USA

Mark M. Benjamin, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352700, Seattle, WA 981952700, USA

Edward J. Brook, Department of Geology, Department of Environmental Science, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA 98686, USA

Donald E. Brownlee, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Box 351580, Seattle, WA 981951580, USA

Stephen J. Burges, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352700, Seattle, WA 981952700, USA

Samuel S. Butcher, (retired) PO Box 54, Willow Creek, MT 59760, USA

Robert J. Charlson, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Box 351640, Seattle, WA 981951640, USA

Kurt M. Cuffey, Department of Geography, 501 McCone Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

Steven Emerson, School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Box 357940, Seattle, WA 981957940, USA

Rolf O. Hallberg, Geologiska Institutionen, Stockholms Universitet, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden

Patricia C. Henshaw, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, 16300 Christenson Road, Suite 350, Seattle, WA 98188, USA

Kim Holmn, Meteorologiska Institutionen, Stockholms Universitet, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden

Bruce D. Honeyman, Laboratory for Applied and Environmental Radiochemistry, Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA

Michael C. Jacobson, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Box 357110, Seattle, WA 981957110, USA

Daniel A. Jaffe, University of Washington-Bothell, 22011 26th Avenue SE, Bothell, WA 98021, USA

Richard A. Jahnke, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411, USA

Russell E. McDuff, School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Box 357940, Seattle, WA 981957940, USA

David R. Montgomery, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Box 351310, Seattle, WA 981951310, USA

James W. Murray, School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Box 357940, Seattle, WA 981957940, USA

Gordon H. Orians, Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Box 351800, Seattle, WA 981951800, USA

Henning Rodhe, Meteorologiska Institutionen, Stockholms Universitet, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

Henri Spaltenstein, University of Lausanne, Valentine 18, 1400 Yverdon, Switzerland

James T. Staley, Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Box 357242, Seattle, WA 981957242, USA

Robert F. Stallard, US Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, CO 80303, USA

Fiorenzo C. Ugolini, Dipartimento di Scienza del Suolo e Nutrizione della Pianta, Universit degli Studi, Piazzale delle Cascine 15, 50144 Firenze, Italy

Gordon V. Wolfe, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, 104 Ocean Administration Building, Corvallis, OR 973315503, USA

Darlene Zabowski, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 981952100, USA

Nearly 23 years have passed since Bert Bolin visited the University of Washington and lectured on the question, Can mankind change the composition of the atmosphere? and it has been seven years since the first edition of this book appeared. Between the mid 1970s and the early 1990s, the study of biogeochemical cycles emerged as a means to integrate large areas of environmental science. The first edition offered this approach in 1992, and has been used widely as both a text and reference book. Its success, measured in the distribution of over 5000 copies, indicates a widespread appreciation for this integrative approach.

on the acid-base and redox balances of the Earth, the coupling of biogeochemical cycles and climate, and the paleorecords of environmental chemistry as deduced from studies of ice cores. This new, fourth section of the book thus gives examples of what we call the Earth system approach. Each of these chapters examines an integrative topic. A new chapter has also been added on water and the hydrologic cycle, which was never specifically treated in the first edition. Along with these new chapters, the original chapters covering the sediments and the pedosphere have been merged into a single chapter because of the strong connection between the two subjects. Besides the addition of several new co-authors, the list of editors has changed. All of the editors of the first edition Samuel S. Butcher, Robert J. Charlson, Gordon Orians, and Gordon Wolfe still appear as co-authors of their respective chapters.

As a consequence of the extension into integration, the title has been changed to Earth System Science: From Biogeochemical Cycles to Global Change. However, despite this new title and new chapters, this book is still about fundamental science; it is not issue oriented. This edition conveys the same philosophy as the earlier one, and the first edition preface (following) still conveys these basic principles around which the book is organized. This edition is more clearly divided into four sections, each with its own introductory summary. The reader is urged to read these summaries in order to gain the perspective that we have attempted to present.

Once again, this book would not have been possible without the contributions of the chapter authors and the very important work of those who prepared the manuscript and illustrations. Much of the typing was done again by Sheila Parker, and Kay Dewar prepared all of the new figures. Michele Kruegel and Monte Lapka provided additional graphics and computer support. A generous gift from the Ford Corporation allowed Michael Jacobson the needed time as a post-doctoral scientist to perform the tasks of chief editor.