Tracking Environmental Change Using Lake Sediments, Vol 1 - Practical

In this review of Tracking Environmental Change Using Lake Sediments: Volume 1, the editors William M. Last and John P. Smol assemble a technical reference aimed at researchers and advanced students who need reliable methods for reconstructing past lake environments. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its concentrated, chapter-by-chapter treatment of dating and coring techniques, from fallout radionuclides to luminescence, which makes it a hands-on companion for anyone developing or interpreting chronologies in lacustrine sediments.

Key Features

• Basin analysis: Thorough discussion of basin-scale approaches helps readers place sediment records in their proper geomorphological and hydrological context.
• Coring methods: Practical coring chapters explain procedures and problems encountered when retrieving intact lake stratigraphy for analysis.
• Chronostratigraphic techniques: Multiple chapters on radiocarbon dating, varve chronology, and fallout radionuclides provide options for building age models suited to different timescales.
• Numerical and radiometric tools: The book presents numerical techniques and radiometric strategies that support quantitative interpretation of sediment signals.
• Specialized dating methods: Coverage of wiggle matching, high-resolution dating and luminescence gives readers advanced tools for challenging chronologies.

Who It's For

This volume is best for paleoenvironmental scientists, graduate students in paleolimnology, hydrologists, and environmental geochemists who require detailed, method-focused guidance on sediment dating and sampling. It is particularly useful for those building age-depth models or comparing multiple dating approaches.

Practitioners seeking elementary introductions or brief overviews may find the material dense; hobbyists or casual readers without prior technical background should look for a general textbook that explains basic sedimentary principles before tackling this volume.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive treatment of dating methods provides practical pathways for constructing robust chronologies.
• Multiple authors offer perspectives on problems like vertical mixing and fraction-specific radiocarbon dating.
• Includes advanced methods such as varve chronology and luminescence, useful for long and high-resolution records.

Cons

• The text is technical and assumes prior familiarity with paleolimnological concepts, which limits accessibility.

Specifications

Our Verdict

For professionals and advanced students focused on building accurate lake-sediment chronologies, this volume delivers concentrated, method-rich guidance and a range of dating approaches that justify its value. It is a practical reference for fieldwork planning and laboratory interpretation, though its technical depth means it is best paired with more introductory material for newcomers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover coring techniques?
Yes, it includes chapters on coring and retrieving intact sediment sections and discusses common problems.

Are there chapters on radiocarbon and other dating methods?
Yes, the book covers radiocarbon-dating approaches, fallout radionuclides, varve chronology, and luminescence among other methods.

Is this suitable for undergraduate beginners?
It is primarily aimed at advanced students and researchers; beginners should consult an introductory text first.