1st Edition

Arsenic in Geosphere and Human Diseases; Arsenic 2010 Proceedings of the Third International Congress on Arsenic in the Environment (As-2010)

    The congress "Arsenic in the Environment" offers an international, multi- and interdisciplinary discussion platform for arsenic research aimed at short-term solutions of problems with considerable social impact, rather than only focusing on cutting edge and breakthrough research in physical, chemical, toxicological, medical and other specific issues on arsenic on a broader environmental realm. The congress "Arsenic in the Environment" was first organized in Mexico City (As 2006 ) followed by As 2008 in Valencia, Spain. The Third International Congress As 2010 was held in Tainan, Taiwan from May 17-21, 2010 entitled: "Arsenic in Geosphere and Human Diseases". The session topics comprised:
    1. Geology + hydrogeology of arsenic;
    2. Ecological effects: Arsenic in soils, plants and food chain;
    3. Marine + terrestrial biota;
    4. Health effects on humans: Epidemiology + biomarkers;
    5. Toxicological effects;
    6. Assessment and remediation;
    7. Analytical methods.

    Hosting this congress in Taiwan was especially relevant, because the endemic Blackfoot Disease, related to the arsenic uptake from drinking water supplied by artesian wells, was discovered here half a century ago. Since then Taiwan has become an important region specializing in arsenic research. This volume presents the extended abstracts of the congress and will give the latest state of the art knowledge based on current research performed by the global scientific community.

    Section I: Geology, hydrology, and hydrogeology of arsenic
    I.1 Geogenic and anthropogenic sources of arsenic
    I.1 Geogenic and anthropogenic sources of arsenic
    I.2 Total arsenic and arsenic speciation
    I.3 Arsenic release into the groundwater: Water-rock interaction processes
    I.4 Aquifer characteristics and mobility and transport of arsenic
    I.5 Biotic and abiotic transformations
    I.6 Risk assessment and modeling

    Section II: Ecological effects: Arsenic in soils, plants and food chain cycle
    II.1 Arsenic in soils and related chemical and biological processes
    II.2 Bioavailability of soil arsenic for plants
    II.3 Phytotoxicity of arsenic
    II.4 Transfer and transformation of arsenic in food chain cycle
    II.5 Total arsenic and arsenic speciation in food

    Section III: Arsenic in marine and terrestrial ecosystems
    III.1 Arsenic in marine ecosystems and biota
    III.2 Arsenic in terrestrial ecosystems and biota

    Section IV: Health effects on humans, epidemiology, biomarkers and risk assessments
    IV.1 Cancer and non-cancer effects
    IV.2 Epidemiology and biomarkers
    IV.3 Arsenic exposure and risk assessment
    IV.4 Arsenic metabolism and arsenic speciation

    Section V: Toxicological effects: Animal models

    Section VI: Assessment and remediation of arsenic contaminated groundwater and land environments, policy and protection
    VI.1 Assessment of arsenic contaminations, policy and protection
    VI.2 Treatment techniques for arsenic removal from groundwater
    VI.3 Experimental studies on arsenic removal
    VI.4 Novel techniques for arsenic removal
    VI.5 Arsenic removal using biological materials
    VI.6 Remediation of arsenic contaminated sediments and soils
    VI.7 Sustainability of arsenic-free water supply

    Section VII: Analytical methods for arsenic
    VII.1 Field detection methods and sample preservation
    VII.2 Laboratory methods for arsenic speciation
    VII.3 Quality control and quality assurance

    Section S1: Special Topic 1: Arsenic in Latin America – A forgotten continent

    Section S2: Special Topic 2: The geochemistry and microbiology of arsenic and humic substances in aquifers of the Blackfoot Disease area, southwestern Taiwan

    Section S3: Special Topic 3: Arsenic in rice – Advances and challenges to minimizing hazard

    Biography

    Jiin-Shuh Jean, Jochen Bundschuh, Prosun Bhattacharya