Knowledge is not to be sought Jor the pleasures oJ the mind, or Jor contention, or Jor superiority to others, or Jor profit, or Jame, or power, or any oJ these inJerior things, but Jor the benefit and use oJ life. -Sir Francis Bacon Based on citations in the literature, it is evident the first edition, entitled Trace Elements in the Terrestrial Environment (1986), met its primary ob jective, which was to provide students and professionals with a comprehen sive book in many important aspects of trace elements in the environment. Indeed the extent of its use has exceeded my expectations. As a result of its usefulness and encouragement by colleagues in the field, I was compelled to write this edition following a similar format, but including new chapters on biogeochemistry, bioavailability, environmental pollution and regulation, ecological and human health effects, and risk and risk management and expanding the coverage to include freshwater systems and groundwater where appropriate. In addition to plants, which was the main biota of emphasis in the earlier edition, fish and wildlife and invertebrates (both terrestrial and aquatic) are discussed as necessary. The ecological and human health effects of major environmental contaminants, such as As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg are also highlighted, along with relevant information on potential risks to the ecology and human health.
From the reviews of the second edition:
"The first edition of this book appeared in 1986 under the title Trace Elements in the Terrestrial Environment. The primary objective was to provide students and professionals with a comprehensive book about many important aspects of trace elements in the environment. The present edition follows a similar format, but includes new chapters ... . As the first edition the book contains many tables and figures." (Bulletin of the International Union of Soil Science – online, 2001)
"The second edition of Domy Adriano’s classic, Trace elements in Terrestrial Environments: Biogeochemistry, Bioavailability, and Risk of Metals ... deserves special attention, particularly since many new discoveries have been made in the 15+ years. ... This sourcebook provides a helpful overview to quickly assess thorough information. Given the almost innumerable related publications in many journals worldwide, Adriano’s book remains a valuable source and reference worth having in the self (and on the desk)." (Jörg Matschullat, Environmental Geology, Vol. 44 (3), 2003)
"This book is a completely revised and updated version of the successful 1st edition issued in 1986. ... This comprehensive reference handbook on the important aspects of trace elements in the terrestrial environment will be an essential resource of environmental scientists and chemists, regulators and policy makers, and particularly valuable for under- and post-graduate courses on environmental chemistry." (International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 82, 2002)
"This book is a complete up-to-date reference handbook about the sources, mobility, bioavailability, and effects of major trace metals with environmental relevance. It is presented in an attractive format and layout, and the graphics are very good. The book is very thoroughly referenced: hundreds of articles have been consulted. Only one conclusion is possible, that this an excellent handbook for any student, researcher or other professional concerned with the fate and impact of trace metals in the environment." (Eric Van den Broeck, International Journal of Environment and Pollution, Vol. 18 (3), 2002)
