Bioavailability, Bioaccessibility and Mobility of Environmental Contaminants

This text focuses on the techniques used to assess the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of metals and persistent organic pollutants in environmental samples. The opening chapter considers the link between human health and contaminated land. Then, the different sample preparation techniques applied to solid and liquid samples for elemental analysis are discussed - in particular, the need to destroy the matrix by heat and/or acid(s) for solid samples whereas in the case of liquids the emphasis is on pre-concentration and/or separation of metals from solution. The book continues to evaluate the different sample preparation techniques applied to solid and liquid sample preparation technique applied for single and sequential extraction of metals from soils and sediments. Chapter 5 evaluates the different sample preparation techniques for non-exhaustive extraction (Cyclodextrin, Supercritical-fluid extraction, subcritical water extraction, solid-phase microextraction and membrane separations) of persistent organic pollutants from soils and sediments. In addition, a mathematical approach to predict weak and strong solvents, based on the Hildebrand solubility parameter, is proposed. In chapter 6, the different techniques for assessing the oral bioaccessiblity of metals and persistent organic pollutants from solid environmental samples are considered. The penultimate chapter presents four case studies taken from the author's own laboratory, as follows: The first of these considers the uptake of metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) by plants grown in compost under green house conditions. The second considers teh oral bioaccessibility of metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) from plants grown on contaminated compost using an in vitro gastrointestinal extraction approach. Case study three discusses the uptake of persistent organic pollutants (x-endosulfan, ß-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate) by lettuce plants grown in compost. Finally, case study four looks at the oral bioaccessibility of persistent organic pollutants by lettuce plants grown in compost using an in vitro gastrointestinal extraction approach. This book also contains a useful collection of data sheets that could be used to record laboratory information a the time of carrying out the experiments, plus a guide to selected resources.