Yuji Arai Assistant Professor, Environmental Soil Chemistry OFFICE: 270 Poole Agricultural Center ADDRESS: 270 Poole Agricultural Center, Department of Entomology, Soils, & Plant Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0315 TELEPHONE: 864-656-2607 FAX: 864-656-3443 E-MAIL: yarai@clemson.edu

Qualifications

Ph.D., 2002, Environmental Soil Chemistry, University of Delaware

B.S., 1996, Soil and Water Science with a Minor in Environmental Toxicology, University of California-Davis

Employment History

Clemson University, Assistant Professor, Departments of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences, 2007-Present

U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA, Water Resource Division, 2002-2006.

Areas of Expertise

Environmental Soil Chemistry

Molecular Environmental Chemistry

Assistantship Opportunity

Ph.D. Teaching and Research Assistantship: Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry Positions are currently open for assistantships involving environmental fate of nutrient and metals in soils. Applicants should have an undergraduate/M.S. degree in soil science discipline and research interests in environmental soil-water chemistry. As a teaching assistant, student(s) are responsible for teaching laboratory sessions in the introductory soil science course. The students can pursue advanced studies within Plant and Environmental Sciences (http://www.clemson.edu/plantenvgrad/) or Environmental Toxicology (http://www.clemson.edu/entox/). Competitive stipends (e.g., $25,000/yr) are available for superior candidates. For further details contact Dr. Yuji Arai, Environmental Soil Chemistry, Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634, E-mail: yarai@clemson.edu

Research Interests

My major research interest in environmental soil chemistry is to understand the predominant and fundamental chemical reactions and mechanisms of nutrients, metal(loid)s and radionuclides at the mineral-water interface and in soils. I am especially interested in the kinetics of partitioning (i.e., adsorption, desorption, precipitation, and dissolution) and redox reactions that take place at the soil-water interface. Traditional macroscopic techniques (i.e., chemical extraction and adsorption/desorption experiments) would be complimented by the use of in situ spectroscopic techniques (e.g., X-ray absorption spectroscopy, synchrotron based X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and vibrational spectroscopies) to better understand the important solid-state speciation of contaminants responsible for macroscopic reactions (adsorption/desorption reactions). As with my previous research, I am employing a cadre of macroscopic and molecular scale approaches and tools over a range of temporal scales.

Upcoming Courses

CSENV 202: Soils 4(3, 2)
Every spring semester (instructor: Y. Arai)
Course Summary: This course introduces world land resources, emphasizes basic biological, chemical and physical properties of soils. Also discusses soil microorganisms, plant nutrients, and fertilization. Soil properties are related to growth. Preq: CH 101, 102, or a geology sequence including GEOL 101; or consent of instructor.

CSENV 485/685: Environmental Soil Chemistry 3 (3, 0) 
Will be offered in fall semester 2008 (instructor: Y. Arai)
Course Summary: Study of soil chemical processes (sorption, desorption, ion exchange, precipitation, dissolution, and redox reactions) of nutrients and inorganic and organic contaminants in soils and organic matter. Chemical complex equilibria and adsorption phenomena at the solid (soil, sediments, minerals)-water interface will be emphasized. Preq: CSENV 202, CH101&102, or consent of instructor.

CSENV 806: Special Problems 1-3 (0, 3-9)
Research not related to thesis.

Soils and Sustainable Crop Systems (SSCS) 496: Creative Inquiry.
Preq: CSENV 202

Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

1. Arai, Y. 2008. Spectroscopic Evidence for Multi-Ni(II) Surface Speciation at the Iron
   Oxyhydroxide-Water Interface. Environmental Science and Technology. 42, 1151–1156.
2. Arai, Y., M. Marcus, N. Tamura, J. A. Davis, and J. M. Zachara. 2007. Spectroscopic evidence for uranium copper bearing minerals in vadose zone sediments at Hanford DOE Site, Washington. Environmental Science and Technology, 13, 4633-4639, 2007.
3. Arai, Y., P. Moran, B. D. Honeyman, and J. A. Davis. 2007. In situ spectroscopic evidence for neptunium(V)-carbonate inner- and outer-sphere ternary surface species on hematite surfaces. Environmental Science and Technology. 41, 11, 3940-3944.
4. Kuwabara, J. S., Y. Arai, B.R. Topping, I. J. Pickering, and G. N. George. 2007. Mercury Speciation in Piscivorous Fish from Mining-impacted Reservoirs. Environmental Science and Technology. 41, 8, 2745-2749.
5. Arai, Y. and D. L. Sparks. 2007. Phosphate reaction dynamics in soils and soil Minerals: A Multiscale Approach. Advances in Agronomy. 94, 135-179.
6. Arai, Y., M. McBeath, J. R, Bargar, J. Joye and J. A. Davis. 2006. Uranyl adsorption and surface speciation at the imogolite-water interface: Self-consistent spectroscopic and surface complexation models. 70, 10, 2492-2509. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Act.
7. Arai, Y., A. Lanzirotti, S. Sutton, M. Newville, J. Dyer, and D. L. Sparks. 2006. Spatial and temporal variability of arsenic solid-state speciation in historically lead arsenate contaminated soils. Environmental Science and Technology. 40, 673-679.
8. Arai, Y., D. L. Sparks and J. A. Davis. 2005. Arsenate adsorption mechanisms at the allophane-water interface: Environmental Science and Technology. 39, 2537-2544.
9. Arai, Y., K. Livi and D. L. Sparks. 2005. Phosphorus reactivity in long-term poultry litter amended Southern Delaware sandy soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal.69, 616-629.
10. Power, L., Y. Arai, and D. L. Sparks. 2005. Zinc adsorption effects on arsenite oxidation kinetics at the birnessite-water interface. Environmental Science and Technology. 39, 181-187.
11. Statts, K. E., Y. Arai, and D. L. Sparks. 2004. Alum amendment effects on phosphorus release and distribution in poultry manure amended sandy soils. Journal of Environmental Quality. 33, 1904-1911.
12. Arai, Y., D. L. Sparks and J. A. Davis. 2004. Effects of dissolved carbonate on arsenate surface speciation and reactivity at the hematite-water interface. Environmental Science and Technology. 38, 817-824.
13. Arai, Y., A. Lanzirotti, S. Sutton, J. A. Davis, and D. L. Sparks. 2003. Arsenic speciation and reactivity in poultry litter. Environmental Science and Technology. 37, 4083-4090.
14. Arai, Y. and D. L. Sparks. 2002. Residence time effects on arsenate surface speciation at the aluminum oxide-water interface. Soil Science, 167, 303-314.
15. Arai, Y. and D. L. Sparks. 2001. ATR-FTIR spectroscopic investigation on phosphate adsorption mechanisms at the ferrihydrite-water interface. Journal of Colloid Interface Science, 241, 317-326.
16. Arai, Y., E. J. Elzinga, and D. L. Sparks. 2001. X-ray absorption spectroscopic investigation of arsenite and arsenate adsorption at the aluminum oxide-water interface. Journal of Colloid Interface Science, 235, 80-88.