S.P. Vriend and J.J.P. Zijlstra (Editors) Geochemical Engineering Division, Institute of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.021, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands, Tel: +31 (0)30 2535007, Fax: +31 (0)30 2535030, E-mail: vriend@geo.uu.nl 1998 - 350 pages Abstract Excerpt (Preface) of the hardcover conference volume with 31 contributions from Geochemical Engineers world wide. Published in honour of emeritus Prof. Dr R.D. Schuiling, nestor of Geochemical Engineering. Part of the book has also been published as a special publication of Elsevier´s: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Vol. 62 Nos. 1-3. [Attention! A limited number of copies of this exellent introduction into the principles and practices of Geochemical Engineering, is still available at the modest price of US$ 60 (postage charges included, please contact S.P. Vriend)] Preface
This volume is published in honor of emeritus Prof. dr Olaf (R.D.) Schuiling. It contains contributions presented by his colleagues during the conference entitled 'Geochemical Engineering: Current Applications and Future Trends' which was held on 22-23 August 1997 at the institute of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. The last decades, as professor of Geochemistry at the Utrecht University, Olaf Schuiling invested most of his time and energy into the development and promotion of Geochemical Engineering, a new discipline within Geochemistry. In Geochemical Engineering, fundamental research into the properties of minerals and the course of geochemical processes is combined with the development of natural methods in order to maintain or improve the quality of our habitat.
With the creation of the Geochemical Engineering division, Olaf Schuiling anticipated the required cooperation between universities and institutes of applied technical research. He felt the need to justify fundamental geochemical research by applying results, make them accessible to the general public and use them to improve environmental legislation in the Netherlands. He was one of the first to recognize that the major environmental problems lie ahead of us, as developing countries strive to reach living standards of the modern post-industrial society. With great enthusiasm he lectured Geochemical Engineering to students from developing countries and advised local industry and government concerning the resolution of their environmental pollution problems.
Established geochemists and PhD students have contributed to this volume and their articles shed light on different aspects of Geochemical Engineering. In the Introduction, Olaf Schuiling presents a broad view on various aspects of Geochemical Engineering. Förstner treats the application of Geochemical Engineering methods in the management of waste sludge. Salomons points to the role of Geochemical Engineering in development of methods to control long-term release of pollutants from sediments and soils. Gaballah and Kilbertus present a method to decontaminate heavy metal bearing fluids with the help of the bark of trees. An overview of the mining and application of industrial minerals in Greece is presented by Arvanitides. The application of geochemical techniques in the evaluation and preservation of archeological sites is highlighted by Kars and Joosten. The importance of proper analytical techniques is stressed by van der Laan, while Mol discusses the importance of proper sampling in the field. Van Gaans shows how models are an indispensable tool in geochemical engineering. Hahn shows that commercialisation of geochemical engineering projects requires a sound economical analysis.
Concerning fundamental research, Varenkamp and Thomas focus attention on the faith of chemical compounds in the large-scale and long-term recycling processes of the Earth. Schoonen et al. show the role of mineral surfaces as (photo) catalysators in geocatalysis. Sriwana et al. deal with the natural pollution that is caused by volcanic activity. Shmulowitsch discusses high temperature chemistry of volcanic vents that remind of conditions in the chimneys of industrial furnaces. De Meijer et al. have used radioactive heavy minerals in Dutch coastal sands to reconstruct and predict sediment transport, supporting coastal engineering. Swennen analyzed heavy metal concentrations in river overbank deposits and bed rock, in order to distinguish natural from anthropogenic pollution.
Several students of Olaf Schuiling present results of current Geochemical Engineering projects. Schmidt presents examples of the precipitation of lead from natural gas in production installations. Steenbruggen and Hollman discuss the transformation of hazardous fly-ash into useful zeolites by means of accelerated and optimized weathering processes. Jonckbloedt discusses the neutralization of industrial waste acid by means of olivine and the controlled genesis of useful silica by-products is treated by Lieftink. Several aspects of the neutralization of industrial waste-acid by means of subsurface injection in carbonates are presented by De Graaff and Speck et al. Ding Mei shows how an impermeable reaction layer is formed at the interface between jarosite and fly-ash. Hage shows the autoclave reaction of sewage sludge with inorganic metalliferous waste. Broekmans stresses the importance of diagenesis during deterioration of concrete. Zevenbergen et al. and Meima and Comans, discuss the leaching properties of incinerator ashes and the influence of weathering on these properties.
This volume may be considered a textbook for Geochemical Engineering and the contributions, that range from fundamental to applied research, provide the reader with an impression of this young discipline. It becomes clear that, in particular when pollutants have already been spread in the natural environment, preferentially natural processes and materials should be used to transform these pollutants into non-hazardous compounds. The task of the Geochemical Engineer lies in the improvement of the rate and efficiency of these natural methods. Future effort should be directed towards the development of a protocol that enables the geochemist to develop new Geochemical Engineering methods based on the fundamental knowledge of the properties of natural processes and materials.
We thank the authors for their contributions to this volume. We also thank the sponsors FUGRO, GEOCHEM RESEARCH, GRONTMIJ, IWACO, KONINKLIJKE HOOGOVENS, MICROMASS, NAM, NITG-TNO, NWO-GOA, PHILIPS, SHELL, TAUW MILIEU, VISSERS MILIEUTECHNIEK, VERENINGING VAN AFVALVERWERKERS and WITTEVEEN & BOS for their generous financial contributions. Furthermore, we thank the Editor-in-Chief E.M. Cameron of the Journal of Geochemical Exploration and Pallandt of Elseviers Scientific Publications for their advice and help during the preparation of this volume. Finally we thank Jeroen de Graaff, Ronald Jonckbloedt, Thijs Noordewier, Patrick Speck and Arian Steenbruggen for their important contributions to the organization of the conference.
Utrecht 1997, the guest editors Simon Vriend and Hans Zijlstra. |
