Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Managing Soils For Environmental Science And Public Health Applications

Obrycki, John F
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4450-9194
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469014282

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Management of soil hazards in urban areas requires strategies that are scientifically effective and accepted by both the general public and public health regulators. Soil management options must consider all three of these components during evaluation. The concept of managing soil hazards to reduce contaminant exposure must be expanded to include considerations of soil function and soil health following remediation. Bioavailability assessments must be included with soil hazard assessments to improve hazard characterization. Soil hazard and soil health indicators can be combined in a comprehensive index, though the relative importance of each factor within the index will be site specific. Several recent studies have quantified contaminants in soil, such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in many urban areas. When these findings are coupled with slow regulatory movement on potential management strategies, the public's perceived risk for potential exposure may increase. Such scenarios across the United States may reduce public support for widespread contaminant cleanup. Innovative interdisciplinary research initiatives are needed to: (1) evaluate potential contaminants and factors that contribute to healthy, functioning soil, (2) facilitate public and regulatory acceptance of potential soil hazards and treatments, and (3) communicate the public health implications of viable cleanup activities. These studies are particularly needed in vulnerable urban areas that demonstrate variable soil contaminant concentrations over small geographic spaces. Characterizing and addressing these soil contaminants will contribute to and benefit our society from public health, social, environmental, and economic perspectives. Soil contaminants and their impacts can be evaluated within the context of other exposures and individual characteristics, such as proposed in the developing field of exposome public health research. The results from this dissertation suggest seven findings and future areas of research. First, soil in vitro lead (Pb) methods must be standardized to develop validated methods to assess phosphorus (P) treated Pb soils. Second, low rate P treatments might not be effective on calcareous Pb contaminated soils. This finding may limit the applicability of P treatments in some urban areas. Third, the public and regulators are willing to consider bioavailability assessments for soil management options. However, the public is less supportive of surface soil capping as a management option. Fourth, public and regulators agree dredged sediments may be beneficially reused, but regulators must more effectively communicate about the entire sediment management process to increase the types of reuses possible. Fifth, the communication efforts for soil management and sediment reuse must be conducted by publicly trusted sources. Sixth, incorporating soil blend materials directly into urban soils can reduce soil contamination and maintain or increase soil health indicators. Soils in urban areas should be managed with both goals in mind. Seventh, Pb contamination can occur throughout urban and rural areas in Ohio, and addressing soil Pb should be coupled with broader environmental Pb remediation efforts within these housing units.
Nicholas Basta, PhD. (Advisor)
Steven Culman, PhD. (Committee Member)
Darryl Hood, PhD. (Committee Member)
Robyn Wilson, PhD. (Committee Member)
227 p.
Environmental Health; Environmental Management; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Public Health; Soil Sciences
soils; in vitro; bioavailability; lead Pb; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs; mental models; sediments; beneficial reuse; urban soil management; soil blends; remediation; public acceptance; blood lead; soil contaminants; soil health

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Obrycki, J. F. (2016). Managing Soils For Environmental Science And Public Health Applications [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469014282

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Obrycki, John. Managing Soils For Environmental Science And Public Health Applications. 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469014282.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Obrycki, John. "Managing Soils For Environmental Science And Public Health Applications." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469014282

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1469014282
241
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.