Every time I crack a new book about environmental geology, I eagerly anticipate a learned-but-lucid discussion of the issues as well as factual information about geologic processes, rates, and impacts. Why am I always disappointed?
Nicholas Coch had an excellent opportunity to bring objective geological science to the forefront in a textbook aimed at both geology students and nonmajors. Unfortunately, he misses the standard and derails efforts to bring rational science to bear on societal issues.
The author does a creditable job with the geology of hazards and stumbles mostly when entering areas with which he appears to be less familiar, such as the atmosphere and groundwater. Coch is clearly an environmentally aware geologist but does not appear to be an environmental geologist writing a well-researched book based on experience and in-depth study.
Coch’s book clearly points out what geological hazards exist for the lay citizen and planner, what their effects might be, and impacts of growing population on natural systems. Flooding is handled well, as is volcanism, although the author missed a good opportunity to at least mention the complex and voluminous gases emanating from thermal vents. I was thrilled that Coch correctly identifies calcium carbonate needles result from Penecillus turnover rather than carbonate mud!
Geology is the science of change. Our textbooks should reflect the reality that change is constant and inevitable. This book mixes accepted facts and out-dated assumptions. I found the references were inadequate to track statements of impact and human cause, causing me to question the book’s assumptions about anthropogenic impacts on the geologic environment.
When discussing carbon dioxide, for instance, Coch notes a “marked increase in greenhouse effect” when there is only a measured increase in modern carbon dioxide level (p. 290). Acid precipitation information is very dated and ignores the carefully researched National Acid Precipitation Assessment Panel reports (p. 286). Diadema kill in the Caribbean is implied to be anthropogenic, but the die-off may be a population cycle (pp. 388–389). Certainly, massive natural coral kills in the Caribbean have been recorded in the past geologic record. The author would have profited from reading the original literature about radon and its human effects before stating that radon “greatly increases the risks of lung cancer” (p. 307).
Stories of “midnight dumpers” and other extraneous comments suggest personal hot buttons that guide the author. This book would benefit from either a careful rewriting for balanced presentation and addition of current knowledge and debate or a new section on critical reading.
I hope the next edition will correct the flaws of the present edition and better serve our profession as an outstanding textbook about the realities of geohazards.
Acknowledgments and Associated Footnotes
1995, Published by Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. 481 pp.
AAPG Division of Environmental Geosciences Journal Vol. 3 (1996), No. 1., Pages 55-56.
Source
http://archives.datapages.com/data/deg/1996/003001/55_deg030055.htm