1st Edition

Dynamics and Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in the Rootzone

Edited By H. Magdi Selim Copyright 2011
    313 Pages 66 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    313 Pages 66 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Concerns regarding heavy metal contamination in terrestrial ecosystems have prompted increasing efforts on limiting their bioavailability in the root zone. The complexity of the hydrologic system gives rise to the need for understanding the fate and transport of trace elements in the soil-water-plant environment. Dynamics and Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in the Rootzone provides a multidisciplinary approach with emphasis on geohydrology, plant and soil science, and environmental chemistry. The primary focus of this book is on different approaches that describe the dynamics of heavy metals in the soil system. These approaches are key to providing direct information on the concentration of heavy metals and hence on their transport, toxicity, and bioavailability.

    The book includes chapters covering equilibrium and kinetic models of heavy metal interactions as well as non-equilibrium transport models. It also discusses chemical processes controlling soil solution concentrations and modeling of heavy metals adsorption. Addressing the biological component of heavy metal dynamics, this work examines rhizosphere microorganisms and phytoremediation. Colloid-associated transport, which can result in groundwater contamination, is discussed in relation to reclaimed mine sites. The authors also present an overview of recent advancements in the biogeochemistry of trace elements and their environmental implications. Additional chapters include examination of various natural environments including runoff waters at the watershed scale, heavy metal transformation in wetlands, dynamics of trace metals in frequently flooded soils, and effects on crops in biosolid-amended soils.

    Reliable assessment of potential risks resulting from the transport of trace elements in the soil environment requires the examination of complex chemical and biological interactions due to the heterogeneous nature of soils. This text describes the current state of the art in this field and explores innovative experimental and theoretical/modeling approaches that will enhance this knowledge. The book provides a coherent presentation of recent advances in techniques, modeling, and dynamics and bioavailability of heavy metals in the root zone.

    Nonlinear Behavior of Heavy Metals in Soils: Mobility and Bioavailability, H. Magdi Selim
    Nonequilibrium Transport of Heavy Metals in Soils: Physical and Chemical Processes, Hua Zhang
    Chemical Equilibrium and Reaction Modeling of Arsenic and Selenium in Soils, Sabine Goldberg
    Heavy Metal and Selenium Distribution and Bioavailability in Contaminated Sites: A Tool for Phytoremediation, Beatrice Pezzarossa, F. Gorini, and G. Petruzzelli
    Colloid-Associated Transport and Metal Speciation at Reclaimed Mine Sites Following Biosolid Application, A.D. Karathanasis and J. O. Miller
    Trace Element Biogeochemistry in the Rhizosphere, Walter W. Wenzel, Eva Oburger, Markus Puschenreiter, and Jakob Santner
    Heavy Metals in Agricultural Watersheds: Nonpoint Source Contamination, Moustafa A. Elrashidi
    Heavy Metals Transformation in Wetlands, R.D. DeLaune and Dong-Cheol Seo
    Factors Controlling the Dynamics of Trace Metals in Frequently Flooded Soils, Jörg Rinklebe and Gijs Du Laing
    Heavy Metals Forms in Biosolids, Soils, and Biosolid-Amended Soils, Christos D. Tsadilas
    Index

    Biography

    Dr. H Madgi Selim is professor of Soil Physics at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Dr. Selim’s research accomplishments have been in the areas of solute and water flow in unsaturated and saturated soils, water management of irrigation and drainage systems, spatial and temporal variability of soil physical properties, and chemical and physical processes governing the interactions and transport of solutes in the root zone. Selim’s research emphasizes the role of slow heavy metals release and processes governing mechanism of heavy metals in the vadose zone.

    This book provides a multidisciplinary approach with emphasis on geohydrology, plant and soil science, and environmental chemistry. The primary focus is on different approaches that describe the dynamics of heavy metals in the soil system. These approaches are key to providing direct information on the concentration of heavy metals and hence on their transport, toxicity, and bioavailability. ... This text describes the current state of the art in this field and explores innovative experimental and theoretical/modeling approaches that will enhance this knowledge. The book is a compilation of valuable information and provides a coherent presentation of recent advances in techniques, modeling, and dynamics and bioavailability of heavy metals in the root zone.
    —K.H. Feger, Dresden/Tharandt, in Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 2011, Vol. 174, Issue 3