Matthew Polizzotto
Soil and Environmental Biogeochemistry
Stanford University
My research is focused on determining the most significant mechanisms governing the release of arsenic from soils and sediments. Although it is well documented that many natural groundwater systems are contaminated with arsenic, the causes for this contamination are often not well understood due to the complexity of natural settings. Moreover, much of our understanding of the mechanisms of arsenic release from soils and sediments has been discerned solely from solution chemistry data, while there have been relatively few studies of the chemical controls governed by natural solid phases. This information is crucially needed to effectively remediate contaminated sites and to accurately predict future arsenic contamination of drinking water.
Currently I am studying arsenic release and transport in the groundwater of Southeast Asia, where over 50 million people are routinely exposed to arsenic levels in drinking water above the World Health Organization suggested standard. Additionally, I am working to understand the cycling of arsenic in the sediments of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. For more information, please click on the following links. Or feel free to contact me directly.
Influxes and near-surface processes governing arsenic in aquifers of Bangladesh
Arsenic release and distribution in the groundwater of Cambodia
Arsenic cycling in the sediments of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
To learn what else is going on in the Soil and Environmental Biogeochemistry group at Stanford, please click here.
Research: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Idaho