Biogeodynamics of Pollutants in Soils and Sediments: Risk Assessment of Delayed and Non-Linear Responses

Description

In the USA, Western and Central Europe, there are many large-scale polluted sites that are too large to be cleaned up economically with available technologies. The pollution is caused by mining activities, smelters and other heavy industries, not only to soils, but also to sediments in waterways and reservoirs. New sites are also being created with little concern for environmental protection. Since these areas are expected to remain polluted for many years, it is necessary to take a long-term view to insure that the capacity to retain the contaminants is not diminished and to understand the potential for large-scale contaminant mobilization at these sites triggered by changing environmental conditions. Therefore, the soil-sediment system as a dynamic entity can be described as biogeodynamics, since a full understanding of long-term changes requires the combination of the "geo" and "bio" sciences. This book provides information for predicting long-term changes and making risk assessments and describes the approach of geochemical engineering to handling large-scale polluted sites.