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Preface During the past decade great advances have occurred in the under standing of the significance of trace metals and metalloids (specifically arsenic, mercury, and selenium) in environmental systems. A l l three elements have been listed as metals of major interest to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In order to provide a unique opportunity for the exchange of information and ideas among scientists who work in the biogeochemistry of these elements, we organized a special symposium on the biogeochemistry of trace elements at the 2 2 1 American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, which was held in San Diego, California, April 1-5, 2001. The A C S Division of Environmental Chemistry sponsored this symposium. The symposium highlighted the latest developments in the occurrence, transport, and transformation studies of arsenic, mercury, and selenium in the environment. Recent advances in analytical chemistry applicable to biogeochemical studies of these and other trace elements were also presented. Because the toxicity and environmental behavior of trace elements are dependent on their physicochemical forms, studies elucidating their speciation were especially emphasized in this symposium. Most of the papers in this book were presented in the special symposium of the ACS National Meeting. Others not presented in the symposium are contributions from leading scientists in the field of biogeochemistry of these elements. The symposium and this volume make no attempt to cover every aspect of the biogeochemistry of these elements. Instead, we have attempted to emphasize the areas that are at the center of attention in the scientific community because of their key roles in describing the biogeochemistry of these elements. Three main themes are covered in these chapters: chemical speciation, transport st
xi In Biogeochemistry of Environmentally Important Trace Elements; Cai, Y., et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2002.
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between phases, and transformation and chemical reactions involved in the fate and transport of these trace elements. These main themes are supplemented by some detailed case studies. A few papers are also included to represent the current status on the study of trace element cycling in some localized geographical regions. We believe that this book addresses some recent accomplishments and trends in the field of biogeochemistry (fate, transport, and trans formation in soils, waters, and plants) of the environmentally important trace elements, arsenic, mercury, and selenium. The book is intended to reach a broad audience, including fellow researchers, graduate students, government scientists, and development specialists in this field.
Acknowledgments We thank all the authors for their contribution to this volume. We also thank the peer reviewers of the chapters for their expertise and efforts. We are grateful to the A C S Division of Environmental Chem istry for the sponsorship of the symposium upon which this book is based. We appreciate the help of Ruth Hathaway and Michael Trehy of the A C S Division of Environmental Chemistry, during the preparation of the symposium and the book. We also acknowledge Stacy VanDerWall and Kelly Dennis in acquisitions and Margaret Brown in editing and production of the A C S Books Department for their help in co ordinating the book. We dedicate this book to Y i n Chen; Peter and Eric Cai; and Elaine and Sally Braids.
Yong Cai
Olin C. Braids
Department of Chemistry &Southeast Environmental Research Center Florida International University University Park Miami, F L 33199
O.C. Braids & Associates, LLC Suite 150 9119 Corporate Lake Drive Tampa, F L 33634
xii In Biogeochemistry of Environmentally Important Trace Elements; Cai, Y., et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2002.
