This book clearly illustrates the limitations of using chemical thermodynamics to describe chemical phenomena in soils--especially with regard to kinetics and molecular mechanisms--and proposes that the quantitative description of soils is not complete without adequate characterization of the rates of the chemical reactions. The author, a renowned authority in the field, focuses on reactions in the soil solution and considers aqueous phase properties. He also cogently draws distinctions between thermodynamic chemical species and kinetic chemical species. This critical introduction to the use of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics for describing reactions in the soil solution will appeal not only to professionals but to students as well.
Industry Reviews
"The book is focused on showing how thermodynamics and kinetics are best used to describe these reactions that occur in bulk solution or at the interface with mineral and organic solids. . . a spare, meaty summary of important concepts. . . . This book is instructive in providing methods and guidelines for constructing solutions to chemical problems in soils." --Geochemica et Cosmochimica Acta
"Concisely written, with extreme precision of nomenclature. Its six chapters cover chemical equilibrium and kinetics; chemical speciation in aqueous solutions; mineral solubility; surface reactions; ion exchange reactions; and colloidal processes. Much that is alluded to in other treatments of chemical kinetics is explicitly and clearly explained here, with an admirable economy of words and effective use of equations."--Journal of Geology
"An excellent book, one that will be very useful to professionals and students who are interested in chemical equilibria and kinetics in natural systems"--Soil Science
"Sposito has organized the book simply with a minimum of chapters to lead the reader through basic chemical reactions to individual special reactions. . ." --Choice
"This book brings forth the necessary concepts and principles needed for a quantitative understanding of the nature of soil materials and how they might respond to environmental change." --Economic Geology
"The book is focused on showing how thermodynamics and kinetics are best used to describe these reactions that occur in bulk solution or at the interface with mineral and organic solids. . . a spare, meaty summary of important concepts. . . . This book is instructive in providing methods and guidelines for constructing solutions to chemical problems in soils." --Geochemica et Cosmochimica Acta
"Concisely written, with extreme precision of nomenclature. Its six chapters cover chemical equilibrium and kinetics; chemical speciation in aqueous solutions; mineral solubility; surface reactions; ion exchange reactions; and colloidal processes. Much that is alluded to in other treatments of chemical kinetics is explicitly and clearly explained here, with an admirable economy of words and effective use of equations."--Journal of Geology
"An excellent book, one that will be very useful to professionals and students who are interested in chemical equilibria and kinetics in natural systems"--Soil Science
"Sposito has organized the book simply with a minimum of chapters to lead the reader through basic chemical reactions to individual special reactions. . ." --Choice
"This book brings forth the necessary concepts and principles needed for a quantitative understanding of the nature of soil materials and how they might respond to environmental change." --Economic Geology
