"Study Reveals Red Soil Mineral's Long-Term Sequestration of Trace Metals"

A study by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has found that the common mineral goethite tends to lock away trace metals in soils over time, making them essentially unavailable for consumption or exposure. The study suggests that up to 50% of trace metals in soils and urban environments may be bound to mineral grains, impacting their availability as essential nutrients for plants and animals. This finding could help scientists better predict how contaminants move through the environment and understand the impact on nutrient availability in farm and garden soils.