Environmental Geochemistry

Site Characterization, Data Analysis, Case Histories, and Associated Health Issues

3rd Edition - February 27, 2024
Editors: Benedetto De Vivo, Harvey Belkin, Annamaria Lima
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 3 8 0 1 - 0
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 3 8 0 2 - 7

Environmental Geochemistry: Site Characterization, Data Analysis, Case Histories, and Associated Health Issues provides a wealth of information on modern geochemical methods,… Read more

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Environmental Geochemistry: Site Characterization, Data Analysis, Case Histories, and Associated Health Issues provides a wealth of information on modern geochemical methods, techniques, and procedures for those studying toxic substances found in soil, air, and water. This new edition takes an especially close look at environmental pollution and its impact on human health. It includes a variety of methods and procedures, such as taking groundwater samples, biological monitoring, geochemical mapping, and models of geochemical speciation. This is followed by a close look at different pollutants, including lead and pesticides.

The authors conclude with several detailed case histories that examine health issues resulting from environmental pollution. Environmental researchers and practitioners will use this book for their work, thus helping them understand and reduce environmental pollutants that affect health.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Contributors
About the editors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Section 1: Methods and procedures
Chapter 1 Field methods in regional geochemical surveys
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Sampling media
3 Sampling density
4 Sampling network
5 Quality assurance in sampling
6 Sampling procedures
7 Documentation of the field data
8 Photographing
9 Sample archive
References
Chapter 2 Sampling methods for site characterization
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Site characterization
3 Basic sampling types
4 Some further sampling considerations
References
Chapter 3 Contaminated groundwater sampling and quality control of water analyses
Abstract
Acknowledgment
1 Introduction
2 Groundwater sampling objectives
3 Choosing the right portable sampling devices
4 Avoiding cross-contamination
5 Water-level measurements
6 Well purging techniques
7 On-site water quality measurements
8 Preservation and handling of samples
9 Quality assurance and quality control procedures
10 Data validation
11 Health and safety in fieldwork
References
Chapter 4 The collection of drainage samples for environmental analyses from active stream channels
Abstract
Acknowledgment
1 Introduction
2 Drainage basins
3 Drainage sampling
4 Sampling strategy
5 Procedures
6 Discussion
7 Conclusions
References
Chapter 5 Biological monitoring for environmental health risk assessment
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction: What is biological monitoring?
2 Biomarkers’ definition and classification
3 Role and application of biological monitoring
4 Ethical issues
5 Conclusions
References
Chapter 6 Data conditioning of environmental geochemical data: Quality control procedures used in the British Geological Survey’s regional geochemical mapping project
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Planning quality control and quality assurance
3 Raw data checking
4 Statistical analyses and plotting of control sample data
5 Leveling data
6 Discussion
References
Chapter 7 Gas chromatographic methods of chemical analysis of organics and their quality control
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Sample preparation—Aqueous samples
3 Sample preparation—Soil samples
4 Cleanup techniques
5 Instrumental analysis
6 Data analysis
7 Quality control
References
Chapter 8 Evaluation of geochemical background at regional and local scales by fractal filtering technique: case studies in selected Italian areas
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Multifractal interpolation and fractal concentration-area (C-A) method
3 Background/baseline geochemical map obtained by fractal filtering (S-A) method
4 Pb and U background values for campania region stream sediments
5 Pb background values for the volcanic soils of the metropolitan and provincial areas of Napoli
6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 9 Geochemical mapping of urban areas
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Definition of geochemical background and baseline at an Urban scale
3 Planning urban geochemical mapping
4 Sampling protocols and field activities
5 Sample preparation and analyses
6 Geochemical data presentation
References
Chapter 10 Chemical speciation to assess bioavailability, bioaccessibility, and geochemical forms of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in polluted soils
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 PTMs forms in soil and bioavailability
3 The need of speciation and speciation methods of PTMs in soil
4 Plant bioavailability
5 Human bioavailability and bioaccessibility
6 PTMs partitioning between soil geochemical phases
7 Applications of PTMs speciation for risk and remediation assessment
8 Concluding remarks
Disclaimer
References
Chapter 11 Extraction and characterization of pore water from contaminated soils
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Methods for sampling soil pore water
3 Description and discussion of selected methods
4 Conclusions and recommendations
References
Chapter 12 Models of geochemical speciation: Structure and applications
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 History of speciation modeling
3 Modeling metal binding to specific ligands
4 Applying speciation models to soils and waters
5 Linking metal speciation to bioavailability, biotic accumulation, and toxicity
6 Future prospects
7 Summary and conclusions
References
Section 2: Pollution and contamination
Chapter 13 Progressive advances in applications of lead and strontium isotopes as monitors of anthropogenic contaminants in the surficial environment
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Analytical techniques
3 Case study: Pb and As in soils and well water, Mohr Orchards site, Pennsylvania, USA
4 Summary conclusions
References
Chapter 14 Polyurethane foam-based passive air samplers in monitoring persistent organic pollutants: Theory and application
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Principles
3 Progress of the PUF-PAS in monitoring POPs
4 Case history
5 Perspective
References
Chapter 15 Legacies of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soil of China—A review, and cases in Southwest and Southeast China
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Origins and environmental chemistry of OCPs
3 The past and present of OCPs in China
4 Regional distributions and factors influencing the OCPs distributions: Case studies from Southwest and Southeast China
5 Conclusions
References
Chapter 16 The Bagnoli-Napoli brownfield site in Italy: Before and after the first remediation phase
Abstract
Acknowledgment
1 Introduction
2 Environmental remediation of the brownfield site
3 Geological settings of the Bagnoli-Fuorigrotta area and stratigraphy of the brownfield site
4 Potential sources of anthropogenic pollution
5 Hydrogeological characteristics of the Bagnoli-Fuorigrotta plain
6 Site characterization
7 Natural and anthropogenic components for the pollution
8 Chemical-structural characterization of waste material and leachability tests
9 Asbestos characterization and remediation
10 First phase operative remediation plan
11 Remediating the site
12 After remediation operations: First phase events
13 Ideas and recommendations for supplemental remediation for safe future land uses
14 Cost estimate
References
Section 3: Associated health issues
Chapter 17 Potential contaminants and sustainable HazMat infrastructure: Neodeterministic (NDSHA) approach guarantees prevention rather than cure. The Bhopal—Madhya Pradesh, India—Gas tragedy case
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Bhopal: The consequences of incredulity, indecision, and inaction
3 Conclusion
References
Chapter 18 Applications of geochemistry to medical geology
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Health-related geochemical mapping: Examples
3 Geochemical controls on the sources, fate, exposure pathways, and toxicity effects of geogenic and anthropogenic toxicants
4 Human health impacts of organic substances of geogenic origin
5 Aqueous geochemistry: Selected elements
6 Coal geochemistry and health
7 Conclusions
8 Summary
References
Chapter 19 Environmental human health issues related to indoor air pollution from domestic biomass use in rural China: A review
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 IAP—The magnitude of the problem
3 Deforestation and domestic solid fuel in China
4 Rural versus urban in China
5 Domestic biomass use in developing countries
6 Emission factors of biomass burning
7 Types of pollution from biomass burning
8 Where there's smoke there's lung disease
9 Mitigation and reduction of IAP in rural China
10 Conclusions
References
Chapter 20 Properties, utilization, and potential health and environmental issues of depleted uranium (DU) for military and civilian use
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Uranium
3 Uranium and depleted uranium—Radiological properties
4 Uranium and depleted uranium—Toxicology
5 Depleted uranium use in munitions
6 Depleted uranium—Use in wars and conflicts
7 DU and human health issues
8 Environmental issues
9 Civilian use of DU
10 Summary
References
Chapter 21 Biological, chemical, and environmental threats of toxic desert dust to military personnel
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 “Operation sandbox”—Study of airborne particle sizes, quantity, and other health risks
3 Exposure to mineralized dust—Particle size, quantity, and health risks
4 Exposure to mineralized dust—Chemical content and heavy and trace metals
5 Exposure to mineralized dust—Biological exposures and infectious diseases
6 Medical consequences of Middle East dust exposure
7 Discussions and conclusions
References
Chapter 22 Indoor mercury pollution in the herbaria: Risk assessment for workers’ health and potential solutions. The studies at the Florence (Italy) herbaria
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Herbaria mercury pollution: A worldwide issue
3 Case study
References
Chapter 23 Occurrence and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in multimedia environment from Zigui Karst Area, China
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
2 Materials and methods
3 Levels and distribution of OCPs in Zigui karst area
4 Composition and sources of OCPs in Zigui karst area
5 Risk assessment of OCPs in the Zigui karst area
6 Conclusions
References
Index

Benedetto De Vivo

Benedetto De Vivo, graduated at Univ. Napoli Federico II, Italy, in Geological Sciences in 1971. He is currently Full Prof of Environmental Geochemistry at Univ. Online Pegaso, Napoli; and Adjunct Prof. at: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Nanjing University and Hubei Polit. Univ, Huanghshi, China; and Member of Excalibur Group, New Market, MD, USA. From 1971 to 1976, worked for private companies operating in Italy and abroad; Researcher at CNR, Rome (1976-1987); Associate Prof (1987-2000) and Full Prof (2000-2017) in Applied Geochemistry at Univ. of Napoli Federico II. He was Chief Editor of: J. Geoch. Explor. (Elsevier) from 2007 to 2016, and Geochemistry-Exploration, Environment, Analysis (Geol. Soc. London) from 2017 to 2018. He has published 300 papers; 30 educational publications; 33 Monographs; and has edited 36 special volumes of peer review journals; 7 textbooks in geochemical prospecting and environmental geochemistry. Recipient of the 2019 Gold Medal of the Association of Applied Geochemists.

Affiliations and expertise

Univ Telematica Pegaso, Napoli, Italy; and Adjunct Prof. at: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Nanjiing University, Nanjiing, P.R. China; Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, P.R. China

Harvey Belkin

Harvey Belkin is currently a Research Geologist Emeritus for the U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. After a career of 45 years, the position of Emeritus allows continued research. After majoring in geology and geochemistry at Franklin and Marshall College and George Washington University, he joined the Branch of Experimental Mineralogy and Geochemistry, USGS. During the early part of his career, he applied the study of aqueous and silicate-melt inclusions to address problems in a wide variety of earth environments, such as ore deposits, radioactive waste disposal, and volcanology. The latter part of this career involved human health issues related to domestic use of coal and other earth materials as well as continued research in different aspects of mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and volcanology. The author or co-author of more than 150 peer-reviewed papers, more than 200 presentations, and editor or co-editor more than 20 books and abstract volumes, Harvey Belkin continues research in a wide variety of geologic problems.

Affiliations and expertise

U. S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, USA

Annamaria Lima

Since 1997, she is an Associate Professor in Geochemical Exploration and Environmental Geochemistry. Her research includes environmental geochemistry for the evaluation of anthropogenic pollution, site characterization and remediation. Data processing techniques (classical and non-parametric statistical methods, factor analysis, etc.), including geo-statistics and plotting of geochemical distribution maps. Fluid and melt inclusions in minerals applied to ore deposit genesis, geothermometry, magma genesis, and volcanology. Geochemical exploration applied to natural resources and for evaluation of the environmental hazards related to their exploitation. On the latter topics she published about 400 papers, mostly in international peer reviewed journals, 21 Monographs, 7 Editor Special Volumes (as Editor), 2 textbooks, 8 Educational Publications, 56 extended abstracts.

Affiliations and expertise

Universita di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy

Life Sciences

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Health

Environmental Geochemistry

Site Characterization, Data Analysis, Case Histories, and Associated Health Issues

Purchase options

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Benedetto De Vivo

Harvey Belkin

Annamaria Lima