From rocks to stalks: controls on biogeochemical signatures and the applications of trace metals

Dr. Shelby Rader, Dept. of Earth & Atmospheric Science, Indiana University presented her research to ~42 members of the Arizona Geological Society and their guests on 5 Dec. 2023. From her abstract:
“Geologically-sourced metals are a bit of a double-edged sword: they are fundamental to the US economy, from extraction to processing to manufacturing, with future dependence estimated to increase nearly exponentially as we continue our green energy transition. Yet they can also pose serious environmental and human health threats, either when found at higher concentrations or with chronic, long-term exposure. This duality is even more pronounced for metals that can be easily transferred from geologic materials into nearby plant biomass, where they can accumulate in very high concentrations. Here, plant accumulators of metals can be employed as prospecting tools, be utilized as a passive monitoring system for changes in metal sourcing, or function as a vector of metal exposure in nearby communities.
In this talk, I will present new plant-based metal data in an attempt to better model and predict heavy metal (re)distribution near Earth’s surface and explore the potential applications, and limitations, of plant-based metal signatures for exploration and environmental planning. In particular, results from greenhouse studies with Brassica species grown in artificially contaminated soils will be highlighted for two unique metal systems of interest.“
This video is a product of the Arizona Geological Society.