Bioavailability, Bioaccessibility and Mobility of Environmental Contaminants

This book covers all aspects of bioavailability, as related to environmental contaminants. After a discussion of the definition of bioavailability and its context, focus is placed on the role of risk assessment and bioavailability. Methods of analysis are then discussed including a range of atomic spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques for metal analysis and chromatographic approaches for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The occurrence, properties and eco-toxicity of POPs and metals in the soil/sediment environment are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the uptake of POPs and metals by plants (phytoextraction). Examples of POPs and metals in the environment are reviewed. <p>Methods to assess the bioavailability of POPs and metals in the environment are discussed. The particular approaches considered are:</p> <ul> <li>non-exhaustive extraction techniques</li> <li>single extraction techniques</li> <li>sequential extraction techniques</li> <li>use of cyclodextrin and surfactants</li> <li>in-vitro gastrointestinal methods including physiological-based extraction test</li> <li>the use of bioasssays including earthworms.</li> </ul> <p>Finally, selected case studies highlight the importance of determining the bioavailability of POPs and metals.</p>