Natural Attenuation of Contaminants in Soils

  Natural attenuation has become widely recognized as an effective and low-cost alternative to more expensive engineered remediation. However, there are uncertainties about natural attenuation√s long-term effects and risks to the environment. There is a particular need to develop a high level of understanding of the natural attenuation processes in order to enable its proper implementation. Natural Attenuation of Contaminants in Soils covers this natural process and its proper implementation. It examines the theoretical processes, case studies, protocols, numerical models, and legal aspects in the natural attenuation of organic and inorganic contaminants. The book provides information for evaluation of natural attenuation as a design tool for construction of land-based waste disposal, and as a management control mechanism for leachate plumes. It also provides information for an in situ procedure for structuring remediation options.

NATURAL ATTENUATION AND GROUND CONTAMINATION Land Use Contaminated Ground Pollutants and Ground Contamination Control and Management of Pollution Plumes Natural Attenuation and Regulatory Attitudes SOIL COMPOSITION AND TRANSMISSION Nature of Soil Soil Fractions, Composition and Attenuation Clay Minerals and Soil Fractions Physical Characteristics and Properties Surface Properties of Soil SOIL-WATER SYSTEMS AND INTERACTIONS Functional Groups and Electrical Charges Soil-Water Energy Characteristics Chemical Reactions in Pore Water Interactions, Exchanges and Sorption Chemical Buffering and Partitioning Water Movement in Soils Movement of Solutes PARTITIONING AND MOBILITY OF HEAVY METALS Inorganic Contaminants Mobility, Availability and SPR Interactions and Assimilation of Heavy Metals Partitioning of Heavy Metals Preferential Sorption and Selectivity Soil Fractions and Sorption INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS AND SOIL-WATER SYSTEMS Organic Chemical Contaminants Adsorption and Bonding Mechanisms Partitioning of Organic Chemical Pollutants Interactions and Fate BIOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION OF CONTAMINANTS Types of Organisms Classification of Microorganisms Physical and Chemical Environmental Effects on Microorganisms Biodegradation of Organic Chemicals Biotransformation of Metals, Non-Metals and Radionuclides FIELD PERFORMANCE AND ASSESSMENTS Assessment of Potential for Natural Attenuation Assessment of Sustainability Procedures for Monitoring Models to Simulate Natural Attenuation Protocols Developed for Natural Attenuation Case Studies of Natural Attenuation PRESENT APPLICATION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR NATURAL ATTENUATION Mitigation of Contamination Monitoring and Evidence of Success Enhanced Natural Attenuation Engineered Natural Attenuation Observations on Future Applications Concluding Remarks