Book Reviews

Aquatic Humic Substances: Influ- ence on Fate and Treatment of Pol- lutants: Advances in Chemistry Series 219, I.H. Suffet and Patrick MacCarthy, editors. Published by American Chemical Society, Wash- ington, D.C., 1989, 864 pages, U.S. List Price: $109.95

Clean water supplies are essential for many chemical and industrial process applications. When the available water is polluted, either by natural toxic elements or by human activity, treatment processes are re- quired to produce the required qual- ity of the needed water. The pres- ence of humic substances in a water supply complicates the treatment processes involved, due to their in- teractions with other species in the environment, such as influencing the transport of heavy metals and the REDOX state of the metals. Humic substances also interact with nonionic compounds, immobilizing such compounds in sedimentary or- ganic matter. This textbook provides a comprehensive discussion on the effect of humic substances in rela- tionship to the area of water purifica- tion. The book is based largely upon a symposium entitled “The Influ- ences of Aquatic Humic Substances on the Fate and Treatment of Pollu- tants,” which was held at the 193rd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, through the Divi- sion of Environmental Chemistry, in Denver, CO, on April 5-10, 1987.

The textbook, containing 45 chap- ters, is divided into eight major sec- tions. The sections covered include: characterization, environmental im- pacts, interactions in natural waters with organic contaminants, interac- tions in natural waters with inor- ganic contaminants, influences of co- agulation processes on water treatment, sorption onto activated carbon (influences on water treat- ment), influences on ozonation and chlorination processes on water

treatment, and influences of ion ex- change and membrane processes on water treatment. The vast back- grounds of the various authors of the respective chapters contribute and compliment the interdiscipliiiary na- ture of the subject material. A major emphasis of the textbook concerns humic substances and their reactions in natural waters and sediments and their influences on water treatment processes. Specific treatment pro- cesses, such as oxidation, enzymatic detoxification, photochemical oxida- tions, coagulation, ion exchange, and membrane processes are de- scribed, both from laboratory and pilot plant studies. The references are current through the time of pub- lication (1987). The book presents an adequate blend of theoretical knowl- edge, experimental data, and practi- cal applications.

This textbook should be a valuable asset for professionals involved in the areas of water-treatment special- ists, environmental engineers, uni- versity environmental programs, and all industries concerned about the quality of their water supply.

Robert W. Peters, Ph.D., P.E. Energy Systems Division Argonne National Laboratory 9700 South Cass Avenue Argonne, IL 60439

Flocculation, Sedimentation & Con- solidation, by Brij M. Moudgil and P. Somasundaran, Published by American Institute of Chemical En- gineers (AIChE), New York, NY, 1986,633 pages, U.S. List Price: $70

Flocculation, coagulation, sedi- mentation, and consolidation phe- nomena are extremely important for the fields of chemical, mineral, envi- ronmental, and coastal engineering. They are likewise important for ap-

plications such as wastewater treat- ment, coal liquefaction, tar sand pro- cessing, and electrophoresis. This textbook presents state-of-the-art re- views and recent advances in the areas of flocculation, settling, and consolidation of fine suspensions in aqueous and nonaqueous media. The book is based upon research pa- pers which were presented at the Engineering Foundation Confer- ence, held at Sea Island, Georgia, on January 27-February 1, 1985. All the papers included in this volume were accepted for inclusion, based upon a formal peer review process.

The book, containing 42 chapters, is divided into five major sections. The sections include plenary lec- tures, flocculation, sedimentation, consolidation, and research needs. The individual chapters are written by leading authorities in the field. The book describes such areas as the flocculating action of polymeric flocculants, aggregate breakage, floc characteristics, charge stabilization, equipment design, sedimentation theory, thickening and dewatering, and effects of chemical additives. Results are presented from many re- search studies, as well as from pilot plant and field studies. The refer- ences are relevant and current (through the time of the publi- cation).

This book represents a welcome addition to the field of flocculation and coalescence phenomena. The book serves as a useful reference for those professionals involved in water and wastewater treatment, environ- mental engineers, coastal engineers, and those people concerned with the quality of their water supplies.

Robert W. Peters, Ph.D., P.E. Energy Systems Division Argonne National Laboratory 9700 South Cass Avenue Argonne, IL 60439

N6 November, 1989 Environmental Progress (Vol. 8, No. 4)