The fate of heavy metal particles in the environment is important because they tend to be reactive, mobile, and highly toxic. Reactivity and Transport of Heavy Metals in Soils examines the sometimes complex interactions that occur between metals and the soil they occupy. It discusses basic kinetic concepts and covers the predictability and consequences of metal-soil interactions. This practical guide presents and explains heavy metal issues crucial to hazardous waste site cleanup, including:

• The use and limitation of equilibrium models for describing metal transport in soils
• Laboratory methods of obtaining kinetic data, data analysis, and model evaluation and validation
• Single and multiple retention reactions in soils with emphasis on commonly observed nonlinear behavior of heavy metals
• Second-order two-site modeling approaches with serveral examples of C(VI) transport in soils
• Physical nonequilibrium approaches based on multi-region (mobile--immobile) concepts
• Multi-component approaches focusing on competitive ion exchange and specific sorption mechanisms during transport
• Reaction mechanisms of heavy metals in soils that are consistent with the modeling approaches described in the book

Of immense value to scientists, engineers, students, environmental consultants, and managers in federal and state agencies, Reactivity and Transport of Heavy Metals in Soils digs beneath the surface of this important environmental topic.

Features

• Shows how to apply heavy metal modeling approaches to other reactive solutes in soils
• Focuses on the most potentially toxic and economically important heavy metal solutes (Cr(VI), Cd, and Zn)
• Includes Hg, Pb, and Cu, providing expansive coverage of solutes
• Facilitates planning and decision-making in hazardous waste site management

For researchers, practitioners, and students in soil science, hydrology, geology, and civil engineering, federal and local environmental regulators, site cleanup managers and consultants.