Numerical Adventures with Geochemical Cycles

by James C. G. Walker

Overview

The dynamic, evolving Earth, and the mathematical representation of its geochemical changes are the subject of this timely, helpful handbook. Global warming, changes in the ocean, and the effects of fossil fuel combustion are just a few of the phenomena that make the development of geochemical models critical. But what computational methods will help to accurately carry out this task? This new text teaches the methodology of computational simulation of environmental change. The author presents interesting applications of his methods to describe the response of the ocean and atmosphere to the infusion of pollutants, the effect of evaporation on seawater composition, climate change, and many other aspects of the Earth's evolving ecosystem. He also presents simple approaches for solving non-linear systems, calculating isotope ratios, and dealing with chains of identical reservoirs. With creative programs that can be executed on any personal computer, Walker offers earth scientists the techniques necessary to address the key problems in their field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195045208
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	12/27/1990
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	5.75(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.86(d)

About the Author

University of Michigan

Table of Contents

1. Why Simulate? 2. How to Calculate a Compositional History3. How to Deal with Several Reservoirs4. How to Solve a Nonlinear System5. The Carbon System and Several Useful Procedures6. How to Calculate Isotope Ratios7. Climate: A Chain of Identical Reservoirs8. Interacting Species in Identical ReservoirsReferencesList of ProgramsIndex

Editorial Reviews

"The first book that I know of to deal with the numerical treatment of global and environmental changes. It does so with enthusiasm and a charming do-it-yourself because it's fun approach." —Mathematical Geology

"Highly recommended for the many earth scientists who have eagerly awaited a straightforward manual on modeling, and for educators who wish to use models or their classroom predictions." —Journal of Geological Education

From the Publisher