Reference works can be good places to start if you're not familiar with your topic. For example, they can provide definitions of terms and short summaries of topics.
The interaction among these key elements of the Earth's nature is fantastically complex and intriguing. The work explores the evolution of these interactions during the earth's history, theories regarding the future of the atmosphere and oceans and specific causes and effects that are at work.
A wide variety of terms and concepts is covered in this volume, including: Chemical Oceanography Dead Zones Limnology Marine Conservation Ocean Colonization Paleoceanography World Ocean Circulation Experiment Coastal Sciences Pollution.