Springer PAHs and Related Compounds: Biology: 3 / 3J (The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, 3 / 3J)

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. From the Back Cover The volumes 3/I (Chemistry) and 3/J (Biology) present diverse aspects of the environmental chemistry and ecology of PAHs and related compounds. Emphasis has been placed on a wide range of aspects not generally covered in other presentations. They cover not only basic aspects of the chemistry, analysis, sources, physico-chemical determinants of environmental distribution, and dissemination of PAHs, but also important areas such as heteroarenes, and PAHs produced from naturally occurring alicyclic precursors. Atmospheric degradation and transformation of PAHs are discussed as well as microbial metabolism of both PAHs and heteroarenes. Conventional and important new aspects of mammalian metabolism and the induction of cancer are presented, and the procedures used for demonstrating the structure of adducts involving PAH metabolites are discussed in detail.