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An extensive research literature exists on humic substances (HS) and their role in the environment. Many books have been published on HS, but only few on the interaction of HS with cations. The book from Edward Tipping closes this gap.
The book has fifteen chapters that cover different aspects of HS interactions with cations and protons. The first five chapters begin with a basic summary of structure, composition, characterization, and chemistry of humic substances. Chapters 6 through 8 present detailed information on the methodology applied to the study of cation binding to HS. Major findings of HS–cation interactions from the literature are presented. Chapters 9 through 11 describe and analyze different models developed to study the HS–cation interactions. Chapters 13 and 14 focus on environmental aspects of the HS–cation interactions in water, soils, and sediments. The book ends with the author's analysis of areas where further research is needed.
The book starts with a review of basic principles of aqueous chemistry and HS. Similar information can be found in other books such as Stevenson's Humus Chemistry (F.J. Stevenson, 1994, John Wiley, New York) or Aiken's Humus Substances in Soil, Sediment and Water (G.R. Aiken et al., 1985, John Wiley, New York). These books present more detailed information on HS isolation, origin, and methods of study than does the Tipping book. Nevertheless, the first five chapters of Tipping's book are valuable, and they will help the reader to take advantage of the main theme of the book, especially for those who do not have previous knowledge in the topic. This gives the book a complete sequence on the subject.
The following chapters focus on the study of HS–cation interactions. Chapter 6 contains a review of laboratory techniques used to study these interactions. In chapter 7, results obtained with HS isolated from environmental samples are reviewed. Results from relevant and recently published papers on the topic are discussed to provide quantitative information on proton dissociation, equilibrium binding of metal ions and kinetics of metal binding. Chapter 8 concentrates on the current knowledge of binding sites for metals on HS obtained with different experimental methodologies.
All the information presented through Chapter 8 is useful as a foundation for the discussion of the models that are explored in Chapters 9 through 11. The first of these chapters begins with the description of several models of variable complexity. This area is well known by the book's author, who has contributed in the developments of several models to study and predict HS–cation interactions (e.g., Models V and VI). Chapters 10 and 11 evaluate the use of these models in different experimental settings and their prediction capabilities.
In Chapter 12 the author relates the HS–cation binding to physicochemical properties and processes, such as the structure of HS, aggregation, adsorption of HS by mineral surfaces, and dissolution of minerals. This description places the HS–cation interaction in the context of processes that occur in the natural environment.
Following a logical sequence, Chapters 13 and 14 focus on environmental aspects of the HS–cation interaction in water, soils, and sediments. The purpose of these chapters is to use information obtained in the laboratory with isolated HS or modeling studies to explain the interaction in natural environments.
In conclusion, this is a very valuable book that develops the HS–cation interaction in a comprehensive way. The well-developed structure of the book explores the most general information as well as very detailed aspects of HS–cation interactions. Readers looking for an introduction into the topic as well as readers looking for very specific information on a certain cation will find the book useful. For instance, a reader interested in a heavy metal or a radionuclide will find relevant information. This book is a helpful reference tool for graduate students in soil and environmental sciences, and scientists, engineers, and practitioners working in environmental studies.
Department of Biological Systems Engineering Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164
jorge{at}mail.wsu.edu
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