Diagenetic Models and Their Implementation: Modelling Transport and Reactions in Aquatic Sediments

The study of sedimentary chemistry and its associated processes is becoming far more mathematical. This new emphasis is being driven by pressures originating from both basic research and field applications. There is a growing desire to gain a quantitative understanding of the reasons for the natural chemical changes observed in sediments as they are buried. Past textbooks have not emphasized the steps necessary to develop transport-reaction (diagenetic) models themselves nor methods for their solution. This book attempts to correct this situation by presenting a detailed account of model formulation by explaining some useful solution techniques. The choice of material illustrates methods that are simple to explain and implement, yet powerful enough to attack even the most complicated diagenetic problems. Computer programs that implement and illustrate the numerical methods are also made available.