In the late 20 th century, biogeochemistry emerged as a new discipline in which the biological, physical, and human sciences collaborate (CGCR, 1999; Schlesinger, 1997). Biological, because the chemical cycles of the planet are mediated by life (Table 1). Physical, because of the strong coupling between climate and atmospheric composition so evident in the glacial-interglacial record of the ice cores (Fig. 1). And, human, because of the massive human disruption of the planet's carbon and nitrogen cycles by fossil fuel burning (which produces CO2 and a range of volatile nitrogen compounds) (Fig. 2). 

It is now common parlance to refer to the Earth as a physical–chemical–biological system; but this is a relatively recent innovation. Until about 1950, geologists generally used the word ‘system’ to define geologic periods, or the several crystal classes, or the physical chemistry of multicomponent mixtures. Long before then, the word ‘system’ in its current usage had been a part of the vocabulary of a number of fields, including communication and control engineering.

Applications of concepts and methods of physics and chemistry to geology resulted in the field of Isotope Geochemistry which has revolutionized our understanding of our Earth system and our environment. When isotope techniques applied to understanding environmental changes that have taken place in the anthropocene, the resultant field can be defined as Environmental Isotope Geochemistry.

To begin with,a brief statement of what constitutes organic geochemistry is probably called for.It is the study of the transformation undergone by organic matter of all types, whether of biological or manmade origin, in the Earth System. The transformations involved vary from those mediated by biological processes involved  in the production of living tissue and the operation of food-chains, to those controlled by temperature and pressure at depth in the crust. Photochemical processes in the atmosphere and hydrosphere can also be important in controlling the environmental behaviour of some organic compounds.

The review chapters in this volume were the basis for a two-day short course on nontraditional stable isotopes held prior (May 15í16, 2004) to the spring AGU/CGU Meeting in Montreal, Canada. The editors (and conveners of the short course) Clark Johnson, Brian Beard and Francis Albarède and the other chapter authors/presenters have done an exceptional job of familiarizing us with the cutting edge of this exciting fi eld of study <...>

Recurring concerns about the environmental fate and potential health impacts of radionuclides such as 137CS, 90Sr, and 99Tc continue to focus interest on understanding the mechanisms controlling radionuclide transport in soils. At the same time, the difficulty and complexity of cleaning up radionuclide-contaminated soils highlights our inability to predict radionuclide transport in near surface environments. Nevertheless, new theories and novel analytical techniques are increasingly able to provide a picture of radiochemical reactivity in situ in soils at the molecular level. There is therefore the possibility that an atomic level view of contaminant binding to soils can provide a knowledge-based framework for choosing remedial targets, achieving cleanup, and protecting public health. Interest in such subjects led to a symposium entitled "Soil Geochemical Processes ofRadionuclides" that was held at the 1999 Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting at Salt Lake City, UT. <...>

The geology and geochemistry of petroleum are becoming ever more important as the demand for fossil fuels increases worldwide. We must find new hydrocarbon reserves that are hidden in almost inaccessible areas. Our knowledge of petroleum geology and geochemistry is the best intellectual tool that we have for the neverending search for rich new deposits of hydrocarbons.

В книге рассматриваются масштабы пластовой и вертикальной миграции компонентов нефти и газа, отраженные в изменениях органического вещества и газовой составляющей подземных вод. Устанавливается сфера прогнозного действия прямых гидрогеохимическйх показателей нефтегазоносности и значительной мере определяется эффективность их практического использования на различных этапах и стадиях поисково-разведочных работ на нефть и газ. 

The volume ‘‘Environmental Geochemistry: Site Characterization, Data Analysis, Case Histories’’ contains selected papers presented at the ‘‘Workshop: Environmental Geochemistry—Site Characterization, Waste Disposal, Data Analysis, Case Histories’’ held in Napoli (Italy) on May 4–5, 2006. Participants from private and public institutions of Canada, Finland, Greece, Italy, the UK, and USA, took part.

Развитие экономики в ближайшие десятилетия будет обеспечиваться традиционными источниками энергии-нефтью и газом. Уменьшение темпа прироста запасов нефти и газа, связанное с сокращением открытий крупных месторождений, заставляет геологов-нефтяников обратиться к так называемым нетрадиционным объектам поисков нефти и газа, к каковым относятся углеродсодержа-щие еилициты и глинисто-кремнистые толщи.