Provides essential material on the surface and adsorption properties of silica. Progresses from theoretical issues to application, with a historical overview, in-depth consideration of various scenarios of silica adsorption, and results from recent research. Addresses the need for specific approaches for each type of silica adsorption and uniquely devotes consideration to silica adsorption from solution. Specific topics include surface chemistry using IR and NMR spectroscopies, computer modeling, micro- and macromolecular species of adsorbents, and the role of silica particles in phase transformation of water. The editor is retired research director at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Chimie des Surfaces et Interfaces, France.