IUPAC

The development of functional (mechanistic) models for the transport and compartmentalization of materials in environmental systems requires an integrated approach which provides functional links between processes at different levels of organization. Results of research on a macroscopic scale (i.e., mass transport of materials in air, water and soil) and microscopic scale (i.e., fixation and mobilization of materials by abiotic and biotic entities) need to be combined. Although it is now widely recognized that integration is the way to go, the mentioned areas of research have been the subject of different disciplines (i.e., physics, chemistry and biology) with little interaction among players. The present project aims to bring together and integrate the current state of knowledge concerning the transport of materials in environmental systems focussing on interrelations at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels.

Internationally recognized persons have been contacted and have agreed to participate in a working group. A book is now in preparation entitled: "Transport kinetics at chemical-biological interfaces in environmental systems". Draft chapters now in revision following workshop meeting in early 2001. The manuscript is expected to be sent to John Wiley ; this will be Volume 9 of the series.

Project completed - Physicochemical kinetics and Transport at Biointerfaces, Volume 9, Wolfgang Koester and H. P. van Leeuwen (Editors), John Wiley & Sons, 2004 [ISBN 0-471-49845-9].