Soil is a living medium containing a complex mixture of mineral and organic matter, gases and liquids, which together act to provide a range of functions on which our lives depend. Knowledge of the chemical processes occurring in soil is key to protecting the soil resource and understanding many of the important environmental issues which we face today. This book has several chapters dealing with important chemical processes occurring in soils including ion exchange, redox and adsorption. I particularly liked the novel opening chapter ‘Elements: their Origin and Abundance’ which provides a rationale for the relative abundances of the elements which make up the Earth, and an insight into the cycling of rocks and soil formation. The chapter ‘Water Chemistry’ provides an introduction to chemical modelling using ‘ChemEQL’ and highlights the need for interpretative skills and validation procedures. Although focused on US regulatory frameworks, the final chapter ‘Risk Assessment’ is welcome and broadens the appeal of the book.

Soil and environmental chemistry is a wide field and boundaries need to be set. The content of the book is well balanced and has moved the traditional soil and environmental chemistry boundaries. Although a little weak on microbiological process this does not detract from an otherwise excellent book. With chapters dealing with soil hydrology, clays, natural organic matter and acid base chemistry, and a wealth of worked examples and illustrations, the book will appeal to students of the environmental sciences and provide an excellent aide-mémoire for professional soil and environmental scientists.