Book excerpt: 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.