摘要：

This book is the latest volume in the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) book series and at 866 pages it is literally a weighty contribution. At first glance the similarity in looks, style and content gives the immediate impression that it is a revised edition of the classic text Minerals in Soil Environments , the very first volume in the SSSA book series, the 2nd edition of which graced our shelves in 1989. Strangely, there is no formal confirmation of the relationship of this book to the previous one, in the preface or elsewhere. This must be deliberate, perhaps because of the change in focus towards environmental applications of mineralogy as expressed in the title? Nonetheless, it is a surprising omission given that 23 out of the total of 28 chapters appear to cover the same topics. Indeed, the introductory chapter by Schulze is virtually identical word for word to his introductory chapter written for the 1989 book. This in itself is not a criticism, since the material of the introduction is essential background for anyone keen to develop an understanding of soil mineralogy, for any purpose, environmental or otherwise. So-called 'environmental mineralogy' is very much in vogue, so it is understandable that this book has been presented in this way at this time. In my view, in one sense or another, most soil mineralogy has always been 'environmental mineralogy'. The subject matter has changed little; mineralogy is as important as ever to any environmental issue that involves soil, all that has really changed is the emphasis.To get back to the detail of the book, this is divided essentially into three parts. The first five chapters are described as introductory; the following 17 are devoted to specific mineral groups; and the final six are described as applied. …

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