Life's Matrix: A Biography of WaterOne of the four elements of classical antiquity, water is central to the environment of our planet. In Life's Matrix, Philip Ball writes of water's origins, history, and unique physical character. As a geological agent, water shapes mountains, canyons, and coastlines, and when unleashed in hurricanes and floods its destructive power is awesome. Ball's provocative exploration of water on other planets highlights the possibilities of life beyond Earth. Life's Matrix also examines the grim realities of depletion of natural resources and its effects on the availability of water in the twenty-first century. |
Contents
THE FIRST FLOOD | 3 |
BLOOD OF THE EARTH | 22 |
STOREHOUSES OF THE HAIL | 59 |
OCEANS IN THE SKY | 82 |
OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS | 115 |
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH | 151 |
COLD TRUTHS | 183 |
THE REAL ELIXIR | 221 |
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acid anti-IgE antifreeze proteins aquifers atmosphere autotrophs become Benveniste Benveniste's blood called carbon dioxide cells century chemical chemistry chemists climate clouds cold fusion compounds condensation contain cooled crystal cycle degranulation dense deuterium dilution dissolved Earth effect elements energy evaporation experiments flood flow fluid force freezing point frozen gases Gasland glaciers global heat homeopathic Hopi hydration hydrogen atoms hydrogen bonds hydrological cycle hydrophobic ice sheets ice VII idea ions Jacques Benveniste lakes land Lavoisier liquid water Liquidland Mars Martian melting metal methane miles million minerals molecular Moon Nature neutrons nuclear nuclear fusion oceans organic oxygen Paracelsus particles pathological science percent phlogiston physics planet polywater pressure proteins protons rain region released result rivers rock salt scientific scientists seems snowflakes solar solid solution space stars structure substance supercooled surface temperature theory tion University warm water molecules water vapor