Metal(loid) Reactivity and Speciation in Soils and Natural Systems

The Environmental Soil Chemistry Group conducts research on metal associations and reactions with soil constituents, such as minerals and organic materials. Investigations of these relationships help to determine not only in what forms or species the metal is present, but also the chemical process of phase formation and the length of the reaction time for phase development. Soils that contain the metals of interest, either occurring naturally or by contamination, are examined as well as model systems in which metals are reacted with a limited number of soil constituents. This research is important in understanding, modeling, and predicting the fate of metals in environmental systems and is essential for the development of remediation strategies in situations where contaminants are present.

Figure 1: a) Elemental distributions by µ-XRF mapping of Cd, Zn, Ca, and Fe in a contaminated soil under different conditions; and b) Cd—K-edge XANES spectra of Cd standards and of the contaminated soil (from Khaokaew et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2011, 45, 4249–4255). From the µ-XRF maps, spatial relationships between the various metals in the soil can be observed, and the XANES spectra will determine the species of Cd present.

Particulate Matter Emissions

As air pollution rates rise worldwide, so to do the concerns regarding the implications this will have on the environment and human health. Over the past few decades, studies have focused on understanding how emissions (i.e. aerosols, particulates, etc.) from industrial, commercial (i.e. car exhaust), and, to a lesser extent, agricultural outlets are affecting the environment as well as human health. Gaining a detailed understanding of the chemical, biological, physical and morphological characterization of these emitted materials can help determine their toxicity; thereby, leading to a better understanding of the potential hazards that are present during exposure, and potentially leading to better policy and regulations.
Here we study agricultural particulate matter emissions (a.k.a. dust, PM) from a poultry operation on the Delmarva Peninsula. Because of population growth and an increase in commercial building within close proximity to these poultry facilities, it is important to understand the role and effect PM emissions can have on the environment and human health. The poultry industry is vital to this region; in fact, it brings in an estimated economic revenue of 4.5 billion dollars per year (Delmarva Poultry Industry, 2012). In addition, it also employs more than 13,000 individuals who are potentially exposed to various hazards including PM each day.

Using previously developed sampling units known as personal micro-environmental aerosol speciation samplers (PMASS) and personal micro-environmental monitoring samplers (PEM) we are able to collect particles ≤10 micrometers. These are significant because of their size, which allows them to enter the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and can then contribute to the development of health problems. The studies of both indoor and outdoor environments of the poultry facility are monitored to determine if there are significant levels of PM being generated above the regulated limits. In addition, the use of wet chemistry techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can identify the total chemical concentrations and composition (ie metals, etc.) of the particles.
In order to gain more specific chemical details about the PM and how metal(loid)s are associated with these particles, we utilize state of the art synchrotron micro-spectroscopic and imaging methods, known as micro-xray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) and micro-xray fluorescence (u-XRF) at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY. Species or form can help determine the toxicity of a particular metal(loid) of concern. In the poultry industry arsenic is used in organic form as an anti-coccidian and growth promoter. Our work focuses on understanding what form the arsenic primarily is in and how it is distributed, along with other metals (ie Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn), in/on the particles. Through various microscopy techniques such as scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM,TEM), and confocal microscopy, morphological (ie size and shape) data can be obtained, and to some extent the association between microorganisms and the PM surfaces can be identified. The information is then used to assess the possible hazards associated with the exposure to PM from a poultry operation, which can then be used to establish better policy and regulations.