Book excerpt: The volumes 3/I and 3/J present a modern account of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their heterocyclic analogs in the environment. The authors are internationally well recognized scientists belonging to those working presently in the frontline of the different subfields of this interdisciplinary area of environmental science; they give an integrated thorough overview on this hot topic. Extensive cross-referencing between chapters provides the readers with an easy access to all major areas. Due to the huge amount of material the text is published in two volumes (3/I and 3/J). It is expected that both volumes will soon become a major source of information and inspiration for all researchers actively working in PAH environmental chemistry or ecology.