Contaminant mobility in soils/sediments and treatment studies

拟议的研究将扩展之前关于污染物的环境命运和迁移的工作。目标将是：(1)扩大对重金属环境迁移和有效性的研究。关键变量包括土壤特性、优先吸附、分配、吸附动力学和机理、在不同环境条件下的分布和解吸。将进行实地和实验室研究。还将检查生物利用度。(2)在前人关于重金属在不同土壤中滞留研究的基础上，对斜发沸石进行了一系列的实验研究，考察了斜发沸石在三相流态化条件下对ARD的吸附效率和处理能力。(3)对重金属进行植物修复研究，包括对公路沿线的土壤进行植物稳定，以防止金属在土壤中迁移，从而可能污染溪流和河流。(4)进行一项大型实验研究，以研究多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的环境途径和去向。PBDEs是添加到各种产品中的阻燃剂，如计算机和电视的塑料部件、电路板、室内装潢和纺织品。研究发现，污染物的环境流动性是决定污染物在土壤、地下水、地表水和沉积物中的范围和迁移的主要性质。这些在工业化国家都是具有挑战性的问题。拟议的工作将解决一些尚未得到充分解决的问题。它将针对新的治疗方法。这些数据将对涉及污染现场问题的监管机构、工程师和从业者有用，并将为合理设计适当的遏制、补救和处理系统提供指导。因此，它们将有助于防止水资源污染。总体意义在于，在确定和解决主要环境问题的同时，对污染物的去向和环境流动性提供更好的科学理解。

The proposed research will extend previous work on the environmental fate and transport of contaminants. The objectives will be: (1) To extend research on environmental mobility of heavy metals and availability. Key variables include soil characteristics, preferential sorption, partitioning, sorption kinetics and mechanism, distribution and desorption for different environmental conditions. Field and laboratory studies will be carried out. Bio-availability will also be examined. (2) To extend previous work on retention of heavy metals in various soils, conduct a major experimental study on clinoptilolite to explore its sorption efficiency and treatment capacity for ARD remediation in a three-phase fluidized bed. (3) To undertake a phytoremediation study for heavy metals involving phytostabilization of soils along highways to prevent migration of metals through soil which might contaminate streams and rivers. (4) To undertake a major experimental study to examine the environmental pathways and fate of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) - flame retardants added to a wide variety of products such as plastic components of computers and televisions, circuit boards, upholstery, and textiles.     Environmental mobility of contaminants is the major property determining the extent and migration of pollutants in soil, groundwater, surface water and sediment. These are challenging issues in industrialized countries. The proposed work will address a number of issues that have not been resolved adequately. It will be directed towards novel treatment methods. The data will be useful for regulators, engineers and practitioners involved in contaminated site issues and will provide guidance for rational design of proper containment, remediation and treatment systems. Hence they will help prevent pollution of water resources. The overall significance is to provide better scientific understanding of the fate and environmental mobility of contaminants, while identifying and solving major environmental problems.