Studies of environmental conditions have become more and more important for oUf knowledge about the complex processes resulting from natural and man-made influences on OUf environment. During recent years new analytical techniques have been developed that are mainly based on laser spectroscopy. They are not only more sensitive and reach lower detection limits but they also give more de tailed information on the species under investigation and their interactions with the environment. They therefore can considerably deepen OUf understanding of correlations between different processes and their causes, which is the precondi tion for avoiding ecological damage and for strengthening effective engagement in environmental protection. Also in life sciences revolutionary new techniques for diagnostics have been in troduced which allow a thorough investigation of biological processes in plants and their dependence on environmental conditions. In particular for medical appli cations these new mainly non-invasive techniques have influenced medical diag nostics and treatment considerably. This book deals with these very interesting interdisciplinary subjects which demand experience and knowledge about both fields: the basic physics of the de tection techniques and the relevant problems in environmental and life sciences. Therefore authors from a broad area of fundamental and applied research have contributed to this book, which is organized in 4 sections: Remote sensing of the atmosphere, detection techniques for liquid and solid samples, applications to gaseous substances and aerosols and finally applications in biology and medicine.
This comprehensive reference work illustrates the state of the art of laser-induced analytical methods in environmental and life sciences as an interdisciplinary approach. Techniques of remote sensing in the atmosphere as well as diagnostic methods for soil, water and air contamination and exhaled breath are described. The authors demonstrate that multi-disciplinary applications are possible. Examples are given as to how existing environmental diagnostic methods found their way into the life sciences. Prominent scientists report on their current research.
From the reviews:
"This book deals with a selection of interdisciplinary subjects relating to both the basic physics of the detection techniques involved and the relevant problems in environmental and life sciences. ? By and large, given the quality and clarity of the various contributions, the book can be recommended to all those requiring a readable and factual introduction into these new fields and methods of analysis." (A. Buekens, International Journal Environment and Pollution, Vol. 25 (1-4), 2005)
"This book deals with ? very interesting interdisciplinary areas. Prominent scientists report on their current research; demonstrate that multi-disciplinary applications are possible; and employ examples on how existing environmental diagnostic methods have found their way into the life sciences. ? Biologists, medical people or environmentalists, should recognize the new possibilities opened by these techniques. This volume may also serve to start more initiatives for a closer cooperation between physicists, chemists, biologists and medical people." (International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 84 (14-15), 2004)
"This book is intended to enable biologists, clinicians and environmentalists to recognise the new possibilities that analytical techniques based on laser spectroscopy offer. It is a comprehensive reference work, which presents state of the art laser-included analytical methods in an interdisciplinary fashion, explaining the basic physics of the detection techniques as well as their applications." (LabPlus International, Vol. 28 (1), 2004)
