Graduate Student
William G. (Bill) Cutler
Remediation of Arsenic in Hawaii Soils: Laboratory and Field Pilot Studies of Geochemical Fixation
Project Objectives
The primary objective of the proposed study is to develop potential cost-effective remedial technologies to reduce bioaccessible As levels in Hawaiian soils. Soils from the Keaau area of the Big Island will be the primary focus, since they are known to exhibit elevated As levels above natural background and human health risk-based concentrations, presumably from application on arsenical pesticides on sugar cane. Soils from former sugar cane fields of Kauai and Oahu (“comparison soils”) will be compared to Keaau soils to better understand the specific mechanisms of As accumulation. A field site in Keaau, Hawaii will be utilized for pilot testing of potential soil As remedial technologies. Specific objectives include:
Project Objectives
The primary objective of the proposed study is to develop potential cost-effective remedial technologies to reduce bioaccessible As levels in Hawaiian soils. Soils from the Keaau area of the Big Island will be the primary focus, since they are known to exhibit elevated As levels above natural background and human health risk-based concentrations, presumably from application on arsenical pesticides on sugar cane. Soils from former sugar cane fields of Kauai and Oahu (“comparison soils”) will be compared to Keaau soils to better understand the specific mechanisms of As accumulation. A field site in Keaau, Hawaii will be utilized for pilot testing of potential soil As remedial technologies. Specific objectives include:
- Develop a better understanding of the geochemistry of As in Keaau soils, and the comparison soils. Understand As association with aqueous, mineral solids and organic phases.
- Determine the relative sorption and desorption characteristics of Keaau and comparison soils.
- Determine the properties of Keaau soils that result in relatively higher As retention versus comparison soils;
- Measure the performance of various soil amendments on the reduction of bioaccessible As in Keaau soils. Determine an optimal remedial technology for permanent treatment of As-contaminated soils.