Trace Elements in Soil: Bioavailability, Flux, and Transfer

Historically, research on the methods and amounts of trace element application to agriculture soils for correcting plant deficiencies has received major attention. More recently, due to industrial development and past disposal activities, trace elements are considered to be important environmental contaminants that affect all components in the atmosphere and in aquatic and terrestrial systems. Prepared by a multi-disciplinary group of scientists, Trace Elements in Soil: Bioavailability, Flux, and Transfer explores and discusses emerging issues in biogeochemistry research. The book emphasizes the role of biological and chemical interactions and discusses the newest research and its application to major environmental problems. It provides a concise compilation of current research and a handy, time-saving reference. With contributions from an international panel of authors, the book focuses on trace element issues in developing countries and environmentally sound techniques such as stabilization and bioremediation. Fundamental yet complex, bioavailability can be relatively simple to parameterize under controlled simulated conditions. This is not always the case under field conditions. To expand our understanding of the fate and transport of trace elements in soils, the methods of assessing trace element bioavailability, flux, and transfer among the different soil components needs to be redefined and developed. Trace Elements in Soil: Bioavailability, Flux, and Transfer is unique in its emphasis on bioavailability and how trace element contamination ultimately effects plants, wildlife, and human population.