ABSTRACT
Contamination of soils from industry-derived metals and organic chemicals has become a major concern because of the critical role such resources play in promoting sustainable social and economic development. Soil contaminants may not only adversely affect agricultural production but may also jeopardize the food chain, underlying groundwater resources, and general ecosystem health. Contaminant metals are somewhat unique in that they do not undergo either chemically or biologically induced degradation that can alter or reduce their toxicity over time. However, metals may undergo transformations that alter their chemical speciation and solid-phase associations that impact mobility and toxicity in the environment. Metals such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) are among the most commonly identified constituents of regulatory concern at contaminated sites throughout the United States [1].
