Professor of Environmental Soil Science

                                     Department of Crop & Soil Environmental Sciences

                                      Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

                                                  Blacksburg, Virginia  24061 - 0404

540-231-7175 (W)     540 – 961 - 1226 (H)

                                                540-231-7630  (F)      wdaniels@vt.edu

 

                                Areas of Research Specialization and Expertise

·         Restoration of disturbed lands including areas disturbed by mining, road building, waste disposal, urbanization and erosion.  Extensive experience in mine reclamation and wetlands restoration.

·         Geochemistry of near‑surface weathering reactions and their influence on soil solution, leachate chemistry, and runoff water quality, including lab simulations and field verification.

·         The influence of land application of wastes on soil properties, geochemical weathering reactions, and water quality. Extensive experience with municipal and industrial sludges and ash materials.

·         Soil geomorphology and landscape analysis with particular emphasis on the relationships among surficial geology, hydrology, soil patterns and long‑term landscape evolution processes.

·         Screening and evaluation of industrial/municipal waste streams for utilization as soil amendments.