1st Edition

Arsenic: Natural and Anthropogenic

Edited By Eleonora Deschamps, Jörg Matschullat Copyright 2011
    238 Pages
    by CRC Press

    238 Pages
    by CRC Press

    The discussion on arsenic in the environment is complex and must grasp the importance of very many, mostly unrelated works on individual aspects. This volume represents one of the first comprehensive and interdisciplinary examinations into arsenic's behaviour in air, water, soils, sediments, plants and the human body. Based on state-of-the-art investigations into the global arsenic cycle, the related human toxicology and available remediation technologies, arsenic is assessed holistically in all the environmental compartments. Using the results of primary research, the authors offer concrete suggestions for risk reduction and management of environmental pollution that allow the reader to successfully tackle similar problems and find sustainable solutions. The book consists of three essential parts:

    1. Review of the current knowledge of arsenic behaviour in the environment (global biogeochemical cycles), toxicology, remediation techniques, immobilization technologies and environmental legislation
    2. Case studies for mining-related arsenic problems
    3. Discussion of mitigation and remediation technologies and approaches such as environmental education, hygiene training, backed by real experience and successful implementation in the study area

    In a highly coherent manner, the book makes use of 120 tables and figures, a large number of literature citations, and very detailed subject index (that encompasses references) to provide rapid and up-to-date access to all relevant information. Cross-references provide a great manoeuvrability between the chapters.

    The book delivers very insightful and hands-on approaches for graduate students and professionals working on arsenic questions not only in environmental science, but also in the fields of environmental engineering, medicine and social science.

    Obituary for Wolfgang Höll (†)

    Section I: Arsenic in the environment, toxicology and remediation

    1. The global arsenic cycle revisited (Jörg Matschullat)
      1. Motivation and challenges
      2. The global biogeochemical arsenic cycle

    2. Arsenic toxicology – A review (Eduardo de Capitani)
      1. Toxicology
      2. Toxicokinetics
      3. Clinical manifestations

    3. Arsenic removal from water (Wolfgang Höll (†), Eleonora Deschamps)
      1. Introduction
      2. Arsenic removal by precipitation
      3. Arsenic removal through sorption
      4. Arsenic elimination through coagulation / filtration
      5. Arsenic elimination by membrane processes

    4. Technology options for arsenic removal and immobilization (Eleonora Deschamps)
      1. Introduction
      2. Arsenic removal technologies
      3. Overriding factors in technology selection
      4. EPA Comparative study to choose the best technology
      5. Final considerations

    5. Environmental laws and regulations (R. Vieira, S. Oberdá, N. Rocha)
      1. Introduction
      2. The Brazilian situation

      Section II: Iron Quadrangle, ARSENEX project and related perceptions

    6. History and socioeconomy – Iron Quadrangle (I. Menses, F.E. Renger, E. Deschamps)
      1. A brief history of the Iron Quadrangle
      2. Socioeconomy – Nova Lima and Santa Bárbara districts

    7. Physical aspects of the Iron Quadrangle (Katiane Almeida, Jörg Matschullat, Jaime Mello, Isabel Meneses, Zenilde Viola)
      1. Geology – Geomorphology
      2. Soils of the Iron Quadrangle
      3. Climate and Hydrology

    8. Project philosophy, history and development (E. Deschamps, J. Matschullat)
    9. Environmental and health perceptions (Adriano Tostes, E. Deschamps)
      1. Objectives
      2. Methodology
      3. Discussion and analysis of results and products
      4. Conclusions

       

      Section III: From air, water and soil to the human body

    10. Dust sampling and interpretation (Jörg Matschullat)
      1. Sampling (total, wet, dry, and interception deposition)
      2. Biomonitoring with lichens
      3. Aerosols
      4. Domestic dusts

    11. Surface water (O. Vasconselos, S. Oberdá, E. Deschamps, J. Matschullat)
      1. Sampling, sample preparation and analysis
      2. Results and interpretation

    12. Soils and sediments (Eleonora Deschamps, Jaime Mello, Jörg Matschullat)
      1. Sampling of soils and sediments
      2. Preparation and analytical methods
      3. Soil and sediment results, health risk assessment
      4. Arsenic – geochemistry and environmental mobility

    13. Arsenic in edible and bioaccumulating plants (O. Vascconcelos, H. Palmieri, J. Matschullat, E. Deschamps)
      1. Arsenic uptake in plants
      2. Sampling, sample preparation and analysis
      3. Arsenic in edible plants and ferns – Iron Quadrangle
      4. Consequences of arsenic in edible plants

    14. Human biomonitoring (Nilton Couto, Silvânia Mattos, Jörg Matschullat)
      1. Introduction
      2. Sampling, storage, and analytical procedures
      3. Results and interpretation
      4. Health issues and conclusions

      Section IV: Solutions and outlook – meeting the challenges

    15. Environmental and health education (S. Oberdá, E. Deschamps, L. Fittipaldi)
      1. Environmental education
      2. Environmental education and healthcare workshops
      3. Workshop details
      4. Workshop evaluation

    16. Water treatment – a local example (Eleonora Deschamps, Neila Assunção)
      1. Introduction
      2. Technical details of the treatment plant
      3. Start-up and performance control 

    17. Mitigation and solutions (Eleonora Deschamps, Jörg Matschullat)
      1. Risk evaluation
      2. Institutional measures
      3. Recommendations

    Section V: Annex

    Subject index

    Biography

    Jörg Matschullat graduated as Geologist (B.Sc.) from the Technical University of Clausthal, received his Masters Degree (Dipl. Geol.) from the University of Tübingen, and Dr. rer. nat. in geology and geochemistry from the University of Göttingen. He performed Post-Doctorates at the universities of Clausthal and Heidelberg, Germany. As of 1999, Jörg is full professor of geochemistry and geoecology at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Director of its Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Centre (IÖZ), and Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences, Geoengineering and Mining of TU Bergakademie Freiberg. his areas of interest are: atmospheric and climate science, environmental geochemistry and earth system science.

    Eleonora Deschamps graduated as Chemical Engineer (B.Sc.) from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and received an Engineering Degree (Dipl.-Ing./M.Sc.) from the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) in Aachen, Germany. She received her Doctoral Degree (PhD) in metallurgic engineering from the College of Engineering at UFMG. Today, Eleonora is professor at the FUMEC University Center of Environmental Engineering, and works as manager of the Division for Industrial Solid Waste at the FEAM Department for Industrial processes and Environmental Analysis, Belo Horizonte. Her areas of competence are: ore treatment, environmental geochemistry, controlled waste disposal, licencing and control of mining activities and chemical industry.

    "Without a doubt, this book is a prime example for environmental assessment of Arsenic contamination where natural processes and anthropogenic activities interfere with each other. The concepts and methods presented here are not restricted to the Brazilian environment but can be transferred also to other regions of the globe as well as to other pollutants. The book provides environmental scientists, technicians and planners with an excellent example on how to design and conduct interdisciplinary studies on environmental pollution and how to draw sensible conclusions from their findings."
    —S. Norra, Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, in Environmental Earth Sciences (2011) 63