Environmental Geochemistry: Earth Surface Processes and Measurement Uncertainty

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental geochemistry is concerned with the sources, distribution and interactions of chemical elements in the system rock–soil–water–air–life. In this Special Issue, we would like to focus on the study of geochemical behavior of potentially harmful elements in different environments and the quantification of measurement uncertainty. The surface environment, closest to man, has dominant importance. The mobility and speciation of chemical elements is central to many of the feedbacks that connect geochemical, biological, and geological processes at Earth’s surface. Redistribution of chemical elements in the surface environment results in lower concentrations and therefore demands sophisticated measurement methodologies for quantification. The estimation of the true values of analyte concentration often plays a significant role. For example in contaminated land investigations regulatory limits are the guidance for costly decisions concerning remediation of a contaminated site. It is important therefore that concentration estimates are determined with a specified level of confidence. A sound methodology for the quantification of the uncertainties on concentration measurements will therefore have financial implications.

Within this frame we welcome contributions that focus on the components of elemental mobility and speciation as well as methodologies for studying such phenomena in field, laboratory and modelling studies and across spatial scales. We are particularly interested in research addressing the assessment of reactivity, bioaccessibility and biological availability of contaminants as well as the remediation of contaminated land with reference to measurement uncertainty, a horizontal theme that applies in all research topics. The Special Issue aims to bring together cross-disciplinary scientists such as geochemists, soil and plant scientists, engineers and environmental chemists. If authors are interested in submitting a manuscript, pre-submission communication with the Guest Editor is recommended.

Dr. Ariadne Argyraki
Prof. Dr. Maurizio Barbieri
Guest Editor

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