Introduction to Medical Geology PDF
Preview Introduction to Medical Geology
Introduction to Medical Geology Focus on tropical environments Erlangen Earth Conference Series SeriesEditor Andre´ Freiwald UniversityErlangen,Germany Forfurthervolumes: http://www.springer.com/series/7037 · C.B. Dissanayake Rohana Chandrajith Introduction to Medical Geology Focus on tropical environments 123 Prof.Dr.C.B.Dissanayake Dr.RohanaChandrajith UniversityofPeradeniya UniversityofPeradeniya Dept.Geology Dept.Geology Peradeniya Peradeniya SriLanka SriLanka [email protected] [email protected] ISBN978-3-642-00484-1 e-ISBN978-3-642-00485-8 DOI10.1007/978-3-642-00485-8 SpringerDordrechtHeidelbergLondonNewYork LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2009926840 (cid:2)c Springer-VerlagBerlinHeidelberg2009 Thisworkissubjecttocopyright.Allrightsarereserved,whetherthewholeorpartofthematerialis concerned,specificallytherightsoftranslation,reprinting,reuseofillustrations,recitation,broadcasting, reproductiononmicrofilmorinanyotherway,andstorageindatabanks.Duplicationofthispublication orpartsthereofispermittedonlyundertheprovisionsoftheGermanCopyrightLawofSeptember9, 1965,initscurrentversion,andpermissionforusemustalwaysbeobtainedfromSpringer.Violations areliabletoprosecutionundertheGermanCopyrightLaw. Theuseofgeneraldescriptivenames,registerednames,trademarks,etc.inthispublicationdoesnot imply,evenintheabsenceofaspecificstatement,thatsuchnamesareexemptfromtherelevantprotective lawsandregulationsandthereforefreeforgeneraluse. Coverdesign:WMXDesignGmbH,Heidelberg Printedonacid-freepaper SpringerispartofSpringerScience+BusinessMedia(www.springer.com) Dedicated to the ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT STIFTUNG/FOUNDATION & to Professor Dr. Heinz J. Tobschall Chair of Applied Geology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany Foreword Tropical lands are unique in a number of ways. Over150 countries have at least half their landmass in the tropics and these represent more than 40% of the world’s population of around 6 billion. Only two regions namely, Singapore and Hong Kong lying in the tropical zone, rank among the 30 countries classified as those with high income by the World Bank. The ge- ography, geology, extreme rock weathering, depletion of essential ele- ments, agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystems, poverty, among others all contribute to the uniqueness of these land masses. Most interestingly, the fact that the vast majority of these people live in close association with the geological environment points to a remarkable association with certain diseases. This fact is highlighted by the authors in a number of interesting case studies involving millions of people. The role of certain trace ele- ments, their geochemical pathways under the extreme climatic conditions as seen in the tropical environments lead to a fascinating aetiology of cer- tain tropical diseases as exemplified by dental and skeletal fluorosis, iodine deficiency disorders and diseases caused by a lack of essential trace ele- ments. This would almost certainly create a major interest among the medical fraternity on the importance of natural geological and geochemical processes and pathways in the aetiology of some tropical diseases. A central premise of this book is that humans are also well and truly a part of the entire global environmental system and that they too are subjected to all the complex geochemical processes that operate around them. Logically therefore, humans who live in close contact with the immediate physical environment should also be influenced to a marked degree by the geo- chemistry of rocks, soils and water around them. It is this influence that has resulted in the emergence of the new discipline of Medical Geology. Nowhere is this better observed than in the tropical countries of the world. The authors of this book have carried out significant research on the as- pects mentioned above and their work has already been highlighted in sev- eral prestigious scientific journals. viii Foreword This work can be considered as one of the pioneering efforts in the emerg- ing discipline of Medical Geology, particularly on the tropical environ- ment. There is clearly a dire need for the better understanding of the role of the geological processes in human health and this book fulfils a long felt global need. Professor Dr. André Freiwald Series Editor/ Erlangen Earth Conference Series Erlangen, Germany Preface The emerging scientific discipline of Medical Geology has fascinated both scientists and laymen alike in view of its highly interdisciplinary nature. Medicine and Geology indeed form a truly awe inspiring scientific combi- nation. The geosphere-biosphere interactions form an integral part of Medical Geology and some of its impacts cover millions of people the world over. From among these, those living in the tropical environments are particularly vulnerable to the effects of “geo-bio” relationships. Tropical environments are unique from the point of view of their climate, soil characteristics, trace element deficiencies and enrichment, mineral im- balances, extreme cases of rock weathering and leaching out of nutrients, agricultural calamities among others. Millions of people living in these geologically and geochemically unique environments serve as classic ex- amples of human beings who live in intimate contact with the geo- environment and whose general health characteristics are markedly influ- enced by the geochemistry of the rocks, soils, water and plants found in their habitats. The influence of geochemistry on human and animal health is therefore best seen in the tropical environment. Medical Geology, as a scientific discipline has derived immensely from the earlier studies of the lands of the tropical belt of the world. The extreme scarcity of text books covering the subject of Medical Geol- ogy is understandable in view of its very recent origin as a scientific disci- pline. It is the aim of this book to introduce the subject to students and re- searchers both in the fields of Medicine and Geology interested in geosphere-human interactions. It is clear that the geosphere does influence human health to a marked degree and it is up to the scientists to track the pathways of the disease - causing substances and elements originating from the geosphere and how they cross the biological barriers and enter the human body. This book illustrates some interesting case studies of such geo-bio interac- tions affecting a very large population of the world. Throughout the book, the focus is on tropical environments and the impact of Medical Geology x Preface on millions of people, the vast majority of them living in developing coun- tries of the tropical belt. It should be emphasized that this book deals only with the relationship be- tween natural geological factors and health in man and animals. As an in- troductory text it is not intended to deal with the medical aspects of the diseases mentioned in any great detail. The authors wish to express their deepest gratitude to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany, which funded the research that culmi- nated in the publication of the book. Grateful thanks are due to Hema and Peter Dietze of Erlangen and also to Dr. med. Jayasumana and Nayananjali Jagoda, Erlangen, for providing accommodation during the time, in which this book was written. We thank colleagues and students of the Depart- ment of Geology of the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg for their as- sistance in various ways. We particularly would like to thank Mr. Rasika Mallawarachchi for typing the entire manuscript and Miss. Kushani Ma- hatantila for editorial assistance. The authors wish to place on record the most valuable support and encour- agement given by Professor Dr. Heinz J. Tobschall, Chair of Applied Ge- ology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg throughout the compilation of this book. All laboratory and office facilities at the Institute for Geology and Mineralogy granted by him to the authors are deeply appreciated. Further, his comments and criticisms have been most helpful to the authors in im- proving the scientific value of the book. The authors also wish to record their most sincere appreciation to Mr. Bill Campbell for his editorial cor- rections which undoubtedly improved the grammar and style. Special thanks are due to Professor Dr. André Freiwald, the Series Editor of Erlangen Earth Conference Series for his guidance and support. We also thank Dr. med. Alexander Woywodt of for making extremely valuable comments on the medical aspects of the book. Finally, Dr. Christian Witschel and Mrs. Christine Adolph from Springer are thanked for under- taking the publication of this book. C.B.Dissanayake Rohana Chandrajith Peradeniya, Sri Lanka June, 2008
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