Of all the sciences, paleontology is probably one of the most narrative. It combines elements of geology, biology, ecology, and many other disciplines to peer back through time into vanished worlds. The pages of the story of Earth are written in rocks and fossils that require careful collection and interpretation, though.

In this course, we review the tools and techniques paleontologists use to breathe life into fossils and recreate ancient landscapes and oceans. We also discover how paleontological investigation can unpack complex events in Earth’s history and how our understanding of these events is continuing to evolve as new fossils and new technologies present themselves <...>

In nature, minerals are usually found in association, forming rocks. Ores are no exception: they are almost always composed of different species, forming intergrowths. The study, description and interpretation of these intergrowths is the objective of textural analysis and is very important for mineralogy, both from a scientific point of view (e.g. mineral genesis) and for a practical approach (e.g. mining exploration and minerallurgy).

Microscopy is a servant of all the sciences, and the microscopic examination of minerals is an important technique which should be mastered by all students of geology early in their careers. Advanced modern textbooks on both optics and mineralogy are available, and our intention is not that this new textbook should replace these but that it should serve as an introductory text or a first stepping-stone to the study of optical mineralogy. The present text has been written with full awareness that it will probably be used as a laboratory handbook, serving as a quick reference to the properties of minerals, but nevertheless care has been taken to present a systematic explanation of the use of the microscope as well as theoretical aspects of optical mineralogy. The book is therefore suitable for the novice either studying as an individual or participating in classwork. <...>

This book is intended for use in an introductory optical mineralogy course. The objective in preparing the book was to present in a single volume of reasonable size both a thorough treatment of optical theory as it pertains to mineral identification with the petrographic microscope, and detailed mineral descriptions of the common rock-forming minerais. The first seven chapters <leal with optical theory and provide an introduction to the properties oflight, a description of the petrographic microscope, and a discussion of the optical properties of isotropic and anisotropic materiais. Detailed step-by-step procedures have been included to guide students through the measurement of optical properties in both thin section and grain mount. Selected spindle stage techniques also are included. <...>

First, we would like to introduce an addition to the editorial team that is responsible for organizing each of the new editions of the Standard Handbook of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering. Stemming from an original publication called Practical Petroleum Engineer’s Handbook first published in the 1940s, the first edition of this handbook was published in 1996 after nearly 8 years of initial preparation by the handbook’s first technical editorWilliam (Bill) Lyons.

Широкое развитие исследований в гидробиологии, ихтио-логии, рыбоводстве, санитарной гидробиологии и водной токсикологии побуждает исследователей обращать особое внимание на химизм природных вод, на их изменяемость в течение года и за ряд лет, на влияние промышленных стоков и применяемых пестицидов в сельском хозяйстве. Природная вода имеет слож-ныи сос.тзв, компоненты которого количественно изменяются от многих причин.
Биологические процессы, протекающие в водоеме, в значительной степени зависят от химизма воды. Каждый гидро-бионт приспосабливается и приспособлен к определенной конкретной среде, изменения которой всегда приводят к изменениям в биоценозах и количественном соотношении численности между видами. <...>

The advent of accessible student computing packages has meant that geophysics students can now easily manipulate datasets and gain first-hand modeling experience – essential in developing an intuitive understanding of the physics of the Earth. Yet to gain a more in-depth understanding of the physical theory, and to be able to develop new models and solutions, it is necessary to be able to derive the relevant equations from first principles. This compact, handy book fills a gap left by most modern geophysics textbooks, which generally do not have space to derive all of the important formulae, showing the intermediate steps. This guide presents full derivations for the classical equations of gravitation, gravity, tides, Earth rotation, heat, geomagnetism, and foundational seismology, illustrated with simple schematic diagrams. It supports students through the successive steps and explains the logical sequence of a derivation – facilitating self-study and helping students to tackle homework exercises and prepare for exams.

Concrete is an essential and irreplaceable constructional material in the modern world. In  recent times, technological advances in the manufacture of cements and the expansion of  the use of concretes and related materials in civil engineering have led to a need for a practical, science-based understanding of these materials and the relationships between their  compositions and properties.

Coring is the removal of sample formation material from a wellbore. To the extent possible, core samples are taken in an undamaged, physically unaltered state. The formation material may be solid rock, friable rock, conglomerates, unconsolidated sands, coal, shales, gumbos, or clays. Coring can be conducted by various methods with a variety of tools.

Microscopy is a servant of all the sciences, and the microscopic examination of minerals is an important technique which should be mastered by all students of geology early in their careers. Advanced modern textbooks on both optics and mineralogy are available, and our intention is not that this new textbook should replace these but that it should serve as an introductory text or a first stepping-stone to the study of optical mineralogy. The present text has been written with full awareness that it will probably be used as a laboratory handbook, serving as a quick reference to the properties of minerals, but nevertheless care has been taken to present a systematic explanation of the use of the microscope as well as theoretical aspects of optical mineralogy. The book is therefore suitable for the novice either studying as an individual or participating in classwork. <...>