ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SERIES The current expansion of both public and
scientific interest in environ- mental issues has not been accompanied
by a commensurate production of adequate books, and those which are
available are widely variable in approach and depth. The Environmental
Management Series has been established with a view to co-ordinating a
series of volumes dealing with each topic within the field in some
depth. It is hoped that this Series will provide a uniform and quality
coverage and that, over a period of years, it will build up to form a
library of reference books covering most of the major topics within this
diverse field. It is envisaged that the books will be of single, or
dual, authorship, or edited volumes as appropriate for respective
topics. The level of presentation will be advanced, the books being
aimed primarily at a research/consultancy readership. The coverage will
include all aspects of environmental science and engineering pertinent
to man- agement and monitoring of the natural and man-modified
environment, as well as topics dealing with the political, economic,
legal and social con- siderations pertaining to environmental
management. J. CAIRNS and R.M. HARRISON v Preface The behaviour and
effects of chemicals in our environment is a fascinating subject for
scientific investigation. Furthermore, an understanding of these
processes is of fundamental importance in our modern world, and should
enable us to understand and limit the adverse effects of pollutants.