Speciation Of Metals In Water Sediment And Soil Systems

The particular behavior of trace metals in the environment is determined by their specific physico-chemical form rather than by their total concentration. The introduction of atomic absorption spectrometry has lead to a plethora of scientific papers and reports in which metal concentrations in the environment are only reported as total concentrations. Only recently has the need for improved knowledge on the various forms and bioavailability of metals been realised. Considerable research effort is now devoted to measuring the concentrations of trace metals in surface waters. Efforts are made to couple chemical analytical techniques to process-related biological problems. The proceedings of the workshop on The Speciation of Metals in Water, Sediment and Soil Systems held in Sunne, Sweden, comprise these efforts and show aspects for further cooperation between analytical chemists and biologists.

Metal Speciation and Contamination of Soil provides a thorough overview of the biogeochemical processes governing the behavior, transport, and bioavailability of heavy metals in contaminated soils and suggests alternative approaches for effective remediation. This important new book contains contributions from experts in various disciplines who explore the issues from theoretical, experimental, and pragmatic perspectives. Topics include redox chemistry, kinetics of metal reactions, spectroscopic characterization of metal ion reactions at surface, modeling hydrologic transport phenomena and colloid-associated transport of metals through the soil profile to ground water, and remediation alternatives.

This book presents new results on metal fluxes from society to the environment, on metal speciation in water, soil and sediment, and its mobility, biological uptake and toxicity. New approaches, like the Acid Volatile Sulphide (AVS) concept to predict metal bioavailability in sediments, and the Biotic Ligand Model to calculate the toxicity of metals to aquatic organisms, are critically evaluated, with a focus on copper, nickel, zinc, and, chromium.

Past generations of industrial development and chemical production are still very much with us-through contaminants they've left in all phases of the ecosystem. Especially vulnerable to this damage: water. Professionals from various disciplines in environmental sciences are becoming increasingly involved in water quality issues. The Manual of Bioassessment of Aquatic Sediment Quality now provides the most current techniques and methods, in the laboratory and the field, to detect and evaluate aquatic contaminants. Designed to complement the analytical methods presented in the companion volume, Manual of Physico-Chemical Analysis of Aquatic Sediments, the Bioassessment edition offers a comprehensive review of chemical forms, encompassing different elements and compounds in sediments, along with evaluation of their availability to aquatic biota. A discussion about the use of reference materials in sediment analysis also accompanies a review of laboratory safety measures. While greater environmental conscientiousness has led to sustainable industrial development and the recycling of materials, there remains the "hidden need" to remediate contaminated water sources throughout the world-essential to the continued survival of all life. The Manual of Bioassessment of Aquatic Sediment Quality will help environmental professionals ensure the protection of life-supporting streams, lakes and oceans throughout the world.