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Abstract
Microbial activities are responsible for reducing the harmful effects of pollutants in different burial environments. Within wetlands in particular, microorganisms play an important role in the transformation of heavy metals and metalloids via direct or indirect oxidation/reduction. In turn, these microbial transformations can lead to the detoxification of pollutant elements such as copper, chromium and arsenic that comprise CCA-treated wood.
CCA was the most commonly used wood preservative in the UK (up until its partial ban in 2004). CCA prolongs the service life of wood by making it resistant to microbiological attack. As such, it has been regularly used in the construction of platforms and boardwalks in wetlands. However, recent concerns over the impact of the chemical constituents of this treatment on both the environment and human health have prompted the introduction of legislation in order to ensure that this type of treated wood is disposed of in accordance with the relevant health and safety guidelines.
In light of this information, it is important to assess changes in the physico-chemical and microbial nature of wetlands associated with the leaching of CCA from wooden structures. The results will not only provide a greater scope for understanding the implications associated with the in situ preservation of the archaeological resource contained within these environments, but also highlight the potential ramifications for wetland ecosystem dynamics.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
T G Mercer
Dr Theresa Mercer has research interests that span the environmental sciences, with a specific interest in contaminated land and waste management. She graduated from her PhD in 2010 at the Department of Geography, University of Hull. Her research investigated the environmental impacts from preservative treated wood waste in soil. This was followed by a post-doctoral research assistant role in the Department of Chemistry and the Centre for Adaptive Science and Sustainability at the University of Hull and academic tutoring at the University of Queensland, Australia. She held a lecturership in Environmental Science at Keele University during 2012, and is now a Research Fellow at Cranfield University.
Correspondence to: Dr Theresa Mercer, School of Physical and Geographical Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire st5 5bg, UK. Email: [email protected]
M C Lillie
Dr Malcolm Lillie has excavated and researched in wetlands for the past twenty-four years, beginning his career as a Fieldwork Supervisor on the Welsh side of the Severn Estuary, UK, excavating and surveying sites such as Goldcliff and Caldicot. He joined the English Heritage funded Humber Wetlands Project under the Directorship of Dr Steve Ellis at the University of Hull in 1994. In 2000 he joined the academic staff at Hull. He is currently a Reader in Prehistoric Archaeology and Wetland Science and Director of the Wetland Archaeology & Environments Research Centre at the University of Hull. He has an MSc and PhD from the University of Sheffield, the latter being supervised by Professor Marek Zvelebil.
R J Smith
Dr Robert Smith is a Director of CgMs Consulting. He has considerable experience in archaeological consultancy and provides specialist guidance and support in order to enable clients to better manage the heritage issues associated with their operations. He assists clients throughout the life cycle of each project, from the initial site acquisition, during the screening and scoping stages, through to the production of Environmental Assessments. Robert has particular experience of the renewable energy sector, as well as retail and other development projects. He routinely undertakes the design and implementation of desk studies, and the assessment/determination of impact mitigation and management strategies, in order to fulfil the requirements of the planning process. Robert is a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Chartered Geographer (CGeog), Chartered Scientist (CSci), Chartered Water and Environmental Manager (C.WEM), a Fellow of the Geographical Society (FRGS), a Member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists (MIfA), and a Member of the Institute of Water and Environmental Management (MCIWEM). He has a first degree in Physical Geography (University of Middlesex), and an MSc in Wetland Archaeological Science and Management and a PhD in Archaeological Science (both from the University of Hull).