Environmental Monitoring and Characterization Published

Environmental Monitoring and Characterization was published in March 2004. The book is edited by three University of Arizona Superfund Basic Research Program investigators, Drs. Janick Artiola, Ian Pepper, and Mark Brusseau.

The purpose of this textbook is to document the latest methodologies of environmental monitoring and site characterization important to society and human health and welfare. We know that the environment exists as a continuum of biosystems and physio-chemical processes that help sustain life on earth. Therefore environmental monitoring should ideally consist of examining the integrative nature of the processes. To this end, basic principles of monitoring and characterization are described for different environments, considering their most relevant processes. Initially, sampling protocols are described, followed by documentation of quality control issues and statistical methods for data analysis. Methods for making field measurements in soil, vadose zone, water, and atmospheric environments are described. This includes real-time monitoring, temporal and spatial issues, and the issues of scale of measurement. The book advances the state-of-the-art by not only documenting how to monitor the environment, but also by developing active strategies that allow for efficient characterization of specific environments. In addition, the book provides approaches to evaluate and interpret data efficiently, with significant processes being documented via statistical analyses and, where appropriate, model development. A particularly unique feature of the text is the discussion of physical, chemical, and microbial processes that effect beneficial as well as detrimental influences on the environment. The text also puts into perspective site-specific remediation techniques that are appropriate for localized environments as well as full-scale ecosystem restoration. Finally, the role of risk assessment and environmental regulations in environmental monitoring is assessed.

Key features of the book include:

• The concept of integrating environmental monitoring into site characterization.
• The integration of physical, chemical, and biological processes.
• Examples of problems, calculations and thought-provoking questions.
• Numerous real-life case studies.
• The use of numerous computer graphics and photographs.
• Key references relevant to each topic.

Reference:
Artiola, J. F., Pepper, I. L., and Brusseau, M. L.  Environmental Monitoring and Characterization.  Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego, 2004.
*Description taken from Preface of Environmental Monitoring and Characterization.