U. Aswathanarayana, has over 50 years of research and teaching experience in India, Tanzania and Mozambique and in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada. His specializations include Nuclear Geology, Geochemistry, Economic Geology and Natural Resources Management. The author is currently engaged in the development of the Mahadevan International Centre for Water Resources Management, Hyderabad, India, which is a part of the UNESCO - TWAS Network of Scientific Organizations. The Editor was awarded the prestigious Excellence in Geophysical Education Award (2005) of the American Geophysical Union for his meritorious contributions to the paradigm shift in geoscience instruction. Previous books by U. Aswathanarayana, published by A.A. Balkema Publishers, are Principles of Nuclear Geology (1986), Water Resources Management and the Environment (2001) and Mineral Resources Management and the Environment (2003). Dr Aswathanarayana is the recipient of the American Geophysical Union's 2007 International Award for serving science and society in less developed countries by training geoscience personnel and developing geoscience infrastructure; promoting self-reliance in these countries. The award recognizes Dr Aswathanarayana's outstanding contribution to furthering the Earth and space sciences and using science for the benefit of society in less favored nations.