USDA: INKING BIOGEOCHEMICAL SPECIATION AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF TRACE ELEMENT CONTAMINANTS FOR SOIL RISK ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION
In this proposed project, we will develop and/or evaluate the ability of trace element speciation methods to measure and/or predict bioavailability to human and/or ecological receptors. The project objectives are:
- to determine the ability of biogeochemical trace element speciation methods to measure and/or predict bioavailability to human and ecological receptors in untreated contaminated soils,
- to determine the ability of soil remediation treatments to decrease trace element bioavailability to human and/or ecological receptors,
- to evaluate the ability of trace element speciation methods to determine reduction of bioavailability in remediated soils,
- to understand how the metabolic activities of microorganisms inhabiting the contaminated sites may interact with iron and sulfide minerals and redox-sensitive contaminants to affect the mobility of contaminants under different conditions.