Draft:Richard B. Corey

Richard Boardman Corey
Born	December 25, 1927 Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Occupation	Soil scientist

Not to be confused with Robert Corey.

Richard Boardman Corey is an American soil chemist and environmental scientist best known for his pioneering work in nutrient management, metal speciation in soils, and plant-soil interactions. Throughout his career, primarily associated with the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Corey has made significant contributions to understanding the behavior of trace metals in soil systems and their effects on plant growth. His innovative methods, including the use of ion exchange and chelating resins, have been instrumental in advancing agricultural science and environmental protection efforts.

Early career and academic contributions

Corey’s early work focused on the chemistry of soils, with an emphasis on the interactions between soil nutrients and plants. His collaboration with notable scientists such as Ronald T. Checkai and P. A. Helmke was instrumental in developing techniques to regulate the availability of key nutrients, particularly metals, in plant growth media. In the mid-1980s, Corey co-authored several groundbreaking studies that demonstrated how ion exchange and chelating resins could be used to control the activities of free ions like hydrogen, phosphate, and various metals in hydroponic solutions. These findings, published in Plant and Soil, provided a new understanding of how plants absorb and interact with essential and toxic metals, leading to more efficient nutrient management in agriculture.

Contributions to metal speciation and soil chemistry

One of Corey’s most cited works explored how ionic and complexed metal concentrations affect the uptake of micronutrient metals and cadmium by plants. This study, published in 1987, revealed that plants do not respond solely to the total concentration of metals in the soil or growth media but to the specific ionic forms available to them. This research laid the groundwork for future studies on metal toxicity in agricultural settings and contributed to environmental policies aimed at managing soil contamination.

In addition to his work on metal uptake by plants, Corey also contributed to the development of methods for characterizing metal complexes in soils. His 1982 study on the use of the chelating resin Chelex-100 introduced a technique to maintain constant metal ion activities, making it possible to study metal complexation under more controlled conditions. This method, widely adopted in both agricultural and environmental sciences, allowed for more accurate predictions of metal bioavailability in soils amended with sewage sludge or fertilizers.

Innovations in nutrient control

Corey’s expertise extended to the management of nutrient concentrations in plant growth media. In collaboration with S. M. Combs, Corey developed systems that used resins to buffer nutrient availability and maintain stable pH levels in solutions. This research, which was especially important for hydroponic systems and controlled agricultural environments, addressed the challenges of maintaining nutrient balance and optimizing plant growth in artificial conditions.

Another key area of Corey’s research focused on phosphorus availability in soils, specifically the dissolution of phosphate rock. His studies, conducted with W. R. Kussow and D. L. Anderson in the mid-1980s, demonstrated how soil characteristics influence the release of phosphorus from rock fertilizers, an insight that has practical applications in the sustainable management of agricultural soils.

Lunar agriculture and extraterrestrial applications

In the later stages of his career, Corey applied his expertise to an emerging and innovative field—lunar agriculture. Alongside P. A. Helmke, Corey explored the possibility of developing soils derived from lunar materials to support plant growth in extraterrestrial environments. This research, published as a chapter in 2015, provided theoretical and practical insights into how soil-like substrates could be created on the moon, opening doors for future agricultural endeavors in space exploration.

Legacy

Richard B. Corey’s contributions to soil chemistry and environmental science have had lasting impacts, not only in academic circles but also in practical applications across agriculture and environmental management. His work on metal speciation, nutrient control, and the development of techniques to maintain constant ionic activity in soils continues to influence contemporary research on soil-plant interactions and soil contamination.

Through his collaborations with a range of scientists, including L. L. Hendrickson, Roger Fujii, and M. A. Turner, Corey helped shape the scientific understanding of how trace metals behave in soils and hydroponic systems. His research has been widely cited and remains relevant in efforts to optimize crop growth, rehabilitate contaminated soils, and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.