Choice Review

This collection of scientific papers from the Geological Society of London provides an in-depth, cutting-edge, technical view of the biogeochemical processes that affect the midlatitudinal fringes of coastlines, specifically intertidal sandflats, mudflats, and to a lesser degree, salt marshes. The temporal and spatial complexities of these coastal environments necessitate interdisciplinary and multi-institutional field projects; those reported in this volume were conducted within the estuarine fringes of England, the remaining within various intertidal coastal settings of Scotland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Sicily, and Canada. The papers are divided into two sections: "LISP-UK (Littoral Investigation of Sediment Properties) Studies" (13 papers) and "Generic Studies" (16 papers). The editors conclude that a deep understanding of the complex processes of the intertidal fringe requires 1) in situ measurements rather than a simple interpolation of laboratory results, and 2) a broad, cross-disciplinary perspective. The numerous figures, photographs, and tables are generally well rendered and sharply reproduced; each paper provides a pertinent, up-to-date reference list. Particularly useful is a rather comprehensive index that effectively directs the reader to paper sections of interest. Graduates through professionals. P. R. Pinet; Colgate University