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An important purpose of The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry is to aid the understanding of distribution and chemical reaction processes which occur in the environment. Volume 2, Part E of this series is dedicated to ozone photochemistry, nonenzymatic oxydation systems, QSAR in environmental chemistry and biotransformation of chemicals in fish.

Advances in Microbial Ecology was established by the International Committee on Microbial Ecology (ICOME) to provide a vehicle for in-depth, critical, and even provocative reviews to emphasize recent trends in the important field of microbial ecology. Advances in Microbial Ecology is now recognized as a major source of infor­ mation and inspiration both for practicing and for prospective microbial ecologists. Most reviews appearing in Advances have been prepared by leaders in particular areas follow­ ing invitations issued by the Editorial Board. Individuals are encouraged, however, to submit outlines of unsolicited contributions to any member of the Editorial Board for consideration for publication in Advances. With the publication of Volume 12 of Advances in Microbial Ecology there will be a change of Editor and the entire Editorial Board. The current Editor wishes to take this opportunity to thank the present Editorial Board, Ron Atlas, Bo Barker J~rgensen, and Gwyn Jones, as well as past members of the Board, for their assistance and encourage­ ment over the years. The new Editor of Advances in Microbial Ecology will be Gwyn Jones, with Bernhard Schink, Warwick F. Vincent, and David M. Ward as members of the Editorial Board. The outgoing Board wish the new Board every success in continu­ ing the traditions established by Martin Alexander, the founding Editor of Advances in Microbial Ecology. The topics featured in Volume 12 of Advances include some related to the meta­ bolic activities of bacteria; namely, bioremediation of oil spills, by R. M. Atlas and R.

Loss of biodiversity on tropical and subtropical oceanic islands is one of the most pressing conservation issues. These oceanic islands are well known for their unique fauna and? ora, which evolved over long periods in isolation from external perturbation. However, the maj- ity of these islands in the Paci? c were eventually settled by Polynesians and then by Europeans; by about 200 years ago, only a few island groups remained untouched. The Bonin Islands are one of these groups. The Bonin Island group is one of the most remote in the world. The islands are located 1,000 km south of Japan off the eastern fringe of Eurasia. They were? rst discovered by the Japanese in 1670, settled by Westerners from Hawaii in 1830, and? nally recognized as a Japanese territory in 1862 on condition that previous settlers would be protected and allowed to remain with full rights. Because of this complicated history, the Bonins have two names.