Geochemistry and the Biosphere: Essays by Vladimir I. Vernadsky is the meticulously edited and accessible first English translation of the original Russian essays by Vladimir I. Vernadsky (1863–1945). Vernadsky is the highly venerated father of several geo-based disciplines, including geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and radiogeology. He wrote the first scientific theory about the “biosphere,” the life zone of the earth, and in the process laid the groundwork for planetary thinking. Geochemistry and The Biosphere contains Vernadsky’s groundbreaking work on the biosphere and the noösphere, as well as his seminal work on geochemistry. A recognized catalyst written over sixty years ago, this premier scientific work addresses in detail humanity’s impact on the living systems of the planet.
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Why this book matters
- The first English translation of Vernadsky’s foundational essays — making a cornerstone of planetary science accessible to English-speaking readers for the first time
- Written by the father of geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and radiogeology — whose concept of the biosphere underpins modern ecological thinking
- Introduces the noösphere — the sphere of human thought as a geological force — a concept more urgent and relevant than ever
- Addresses humanity’s impact on living planetary systems with a rigor and foresight that anticipated today’s environmental crisis
- An essential reference for scientists, ecologists, and anyone seeking to understand the deep history of planetary thinking
