Author: L. Bonati

Publisher: Elsevier Publishing Company

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 392

ISBN-13:

Ecological Physical Chemistry is a new transdisciplinary field concerned, on one hand, with the study of the interactions between complex molecular systems and, on the other, with a systemic approach to the overall biosphere. This book encompasses the views of scientists involved in the study of some of the planet's major biological, ecological and environmental problems in order to offer an overview of recently developed methods for studying the complexity of these concerns at every level, from molecular to social organization.The volume deals with computational modeling on: the relationship between molecular structure, dynamics and signal transduction in biological systems; the influence of the surroundings on reactions; the relationships between molecular structure and biological activity, as well as experimental methodologies for studying the interaction of DNA with small and large molecules. It also discusses the problems arising from the need to develop new thermodynamic theories and models in order to continue the analysis of natural processes and their effects on living systems and the environment. The final section describes the key points involved in the process of realizing sustainable patterns of economic elaboration and development, specifically the roles of the limits determined by thermodynamic, natural resources, pollution absorption, population tolerance levels and, most importantly, those of our understanding about where these limits lie and how they influence the systems.