Environmental Geochemistry of Potentially Toxic Metals

Contamination of the earths ecosystems by potentially toxie metalsl metalloids is a global problem. It will likely grow with our planets increasing populations and their requirements for natural resources (e. g. water food energy waste-disposal sites) and metals-based goods. The health impacts of pollution from the ingestion of heavy metals/metalloids via respiration food and drinking water are most often long-term and manifest themselves in many ways. These include for example disminution of mental acuity loss of motor control critieal organ dysfunction cancer chronie illnesses and con- comitant suffering incapacitation and finally death. The incidence and geographie distribution of disease (epidemiology) has been well-documented historieally and in modern times for toxic metals- triggered diseases in humans animals and vegetation. The role of the environmental geochemist and colleagues in environ- mental sciences is to scientifically evaluate how to manage metalsl metalloids at sources or in-situ so as to alleviate or eliminate their negative health impacts on living populations. This is initiated by identifying sources and by developing models of the physieal chem- ieal and biologieal controls on mobilization interaction deposition and accumulation of potentially toxie metals/metalloids in source systems and earth ecosystems. Prom this knowledge base environ- mental scientists (e. g. geologists chemists biologists environmen- tal engineers physicists/meteorologists) work together to develop Preface VI concepts and technologieal methodologies to preserve global eco- systems. Their concerted efforts are equally focussed on devising strategems to remediate ecosystems still carrying heavy metals/metal- loids pollutant burdens from ancient and modern societies.