scholarly journals A review on heavy metal accumulation and toxicity in biotic and abiotic components

2021 ◽  
Vol 889 (1) ◽  
pp. 012062
Author(s):  
Manmeet Kaur ◽  
Akriti Sharma ◽  
Aditya

Abstract Pollutants in the environment remains to be a global issue and among the greatest challenges confronting mankind. Among the various kinds of pollutants, heavy metals have drawn a lot of attention owing to their toxicity. Heavy metals are recognized to be naturally existing, however they are introduced in considerable quantities in many environmental compartments due to anthropogenic activities. When added into the atmosphere eventually these find their way back to the ground, contaminating soils and water. These metals enter into the plant system through a variety of physiological mechanisms, affecting plant growth and development. The possible entry of these elements into the ecosystem has been attributed to the increased levels of heavy metals in the ecosystem through direct intake from polluted soils, vegetables grown on polluted soils, or drinking wastewater that has infiltrated through such soils. Heavy metal accumulation arises when vegetable crops are grown in an environment contaminated with heavy metal, further entering and magnifying in the food chain. Human health is jeopardised by the presence and consumption of potentially harmful heavy metals in biota and groundwater. Heavy metal exposure can cause a number of serious human health implications, including kidney disease, respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and cancer. These heavy metals have an impact not merely on plants and humans, but also on soil health, water sources, soil nutrient status, and other aquatic organisms. These are irreversibly introduced in the environment since they cannot be degraded and are typically present in trace amounts, yet even at low levels, many of them can be harmful. The increased levels of heavy metals in the environment are hence currently prompting increased concern and need improvised remedial measures.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narin Printarakul ◽  
Weeradej Meeinkuirt

Abstract Huay Pah Lahd stream in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Thailand, is potentially vulnerable to nearby anthropogenic activities. In this study, we determined heavy metal accumulation in bryophyte tissue and their growth substrates. Enrichment factors (EFs) of heavy metals were employed to monitor concentrations in bryophyte tissue. Of eight bryophyte taxa investigated, Scopelophila cataractae showed the highest capacity to accumulate metals in tissue, particularly Fe, Zn, Cd and Cu in protonemata (8,026.7, 1,187.2, 16.9 and 530.1 mg kg-1, respectively). Furthermore, the endangered and rare bryophyte taxa S. cataractae and Porella acutifolia were found intermingled with other urban and common aquatic bryophytes. These taxa might be considered sensitive warning organisms for heavy metal stress in stream ecosystems induced by environmental pollution. Because EFs of all heavy metals were < 2, this suggests that natural processes are the key source of heavy metals; furthermore, the environment of this National Park was identified as being heathy, and an important ecosystem buffer and biodiversity haven.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 355-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babajide ◽  
Popoola ◽  
Gbadamosi ◽  
Oyedele ◽  
Liasu

While strategizing towards achieving improved soil fertility for sustainable tropical crop production, timely application of fertilizers on regular basis alone is not the University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria best approach, particularly on polluted soils. However, seeking for reliable natural, biological and environment friendly means of ensuring effective riddance of toxic elements or heavy metals from tropical agricultural soils is equally a worthwhile technology. An open-field potted experiment was conducted during early raining season of 2016 (March-July), at the Teaching and Research Farms of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, to investigate the effect of spent engine oil polluted soil conditions on performance and heavy metal accumulation potentials of Ceratothecasesamoides. Spent engine oil was applied at different concentrations (0.0ml, 50.0ml, 100.0ml, 150.0ml, and 200.0ml to each pot containing 7kg soil. Four pots per treatments were used. The trial was arranged in Completely Randomised Design (CRD), replicated three (3) times. Data were collected on growth parameters (number of leaves, plant height, stem girth, leaf length and leaf breadth). The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to the means. Pre and post-cropping soil analyses were carried out, for determination of nutrient concentrations. Also, after the termination of the experiment, plant samples were collected from each of the pots for oven-drying followed by determination of nutrient concentrations (including the heavy metals). Oil pollution significantly affected growth and heavy metal accumulation of the test-crop. Growth decreases with increasing rate of lubricant application, while the heavy metal concentrations in the test-crop increased with increasing concentrations of the applied spent engine oil. Thus, Ceratothecasesamoides is a wild plant which could be easily exploited for its heavy metals hyper-accumulative or phyto-extractive potentials, so as to reclaim heavy metals polluted soils from toxicity, for sustainable crop production.


Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 360
Author(s):  
Mohammad Main Uddin ◽  
Mohamed Cassim Mohamed Zakeel ◽  
Junaida Shezmin Zavahir ◽  
Faiz M. M. T. Marikar ◽  
Israt Jahan

Aquatic ecosystems are contaminated with heavy metals by natural and anthropogenic sources. Whilst some heavy metals are necessary for plants as micronutrients, others can be toxic to plants and humans even in trace concentrations. Among heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) cause significant damage to aquatic ecosystems and can invariably affect human health. Rice, a staple diet of many nations, and other aquatic plants used as vegetables in many countries, can bioaccumulate heavy metals when they grow in contaminated aquatic environments. These metals can enter the human body through food chains, and the presence of heavy metals in food can lead to numerous human health consequences. Heavy metals in aquatic plants can affect plant physicochemical functions, growth, and crop yield. Various mitigation strategies are being continuously explored to avoid heavy metals entering aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the levels of heavy metals in rice and aquatic plants grown for food in contaminated aquatic environments is important. Further, it is imperative to adopt sustainable management approaches and mitigation mechanisms. Although narrowly focused reviews exist, this article provides novel information for improving our understanding about heavy metal accumulation in rice and aquatic plants, addressing the gaps in literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah Abakpa Adegbe ◽  
Oluwaseyi Oluwabukola Babajide ◽  
Lois Riyo Maina ◽  
Shola Elijah Adeniji

Abstract Background Heavy metal accumulation in the ecosystem constitutes a potential toxic effect which is hazardous to human health. Increasing environmental pollution has necessitated the use of cattle egrets to evaluate the levels of heavy metal contamination, to establish their use in biomonitoring of heavy metals and to provide data for monitoring pollution in the environment. Results The present study assessed the utilization of Bubulcus ibis in monitoring pollution in five abattoirs, namely Agege, Bariga, Kara, Itire and Idi-Araba, all situated in Lagos State. The concentration of five (5) heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was determined in the liver, muscle and feather of Bubulcus ibis using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The trend of metal accumulation was in the order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni for all the sampled tissues. The mean tissue concentrations of the metals were significantly different (p < 0.05) among the sites. The highest levels of metal concentration were reported in the liver in all the locations. Mean concentration of Cd in Kara (0.003 ± 0.00058) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those found at Agege (0.0013 ± 0.00058) and Idi-Araba (0.001 ± 0.001). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was also observed between the mean concentrations of Cu in Bariga (0.01 ± 0.001) and Idi-Araba (0.003 ± 0.001). Conclusion All the studied heavy metals were present in the liver, muscle and feathers of the cattle egrets. The contamination levels were ascertained from the study which indicated that cattle egrets are useful in biomonitoring studies and the generated data will serve as baseline data which could be compared with data from other locations for monitoring heavy metal pollution.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kazem Souri ◽  
Neda Alipanahi ◽  
Mansoure Hatamian ◽  
Mohammad Ahmadi ◽  
Tsehaye Tesfamariam

Abstract Heavy metal accumulation in vegetable tissues often poses a great risk for human health. In the present study, accumulation of heavy metal in green leafy vegetable crops of coriander, garden cress, lettuce and spinach were evaluated under waste water irrigation in fields located in Kahrizak, on the southern edge of the metropolitan city of Tehran, Iran. Atomic absorption spectrophotometery was used for determination of heavy metal concentrations in leaf tissue. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations in soil and irrigation water were significantly high than allowable levels. Analysis of plant leaf tissue showed that spinach and garden cress accumulated higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to coriander and lettuce plants. Central leaves of lettuce showed the lowest heavy metal concentration compared to outer leaves or leaves of other vegetable crops, and can be the safer product for fresh consumption. The results indicate that the vegetables produced in the region are not suitable for fresh consumption and the agricultural activities should change towards ornamental or industrial crops production.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-294
Author(s):  
Md Akhter Hossain Chowdhury ◽  
Tanzin Chowdhury ◽  
Md Arifur Rahman

Heavy metal accumulation in environmental compartments is a potential risk to the living system because of their uptake by plants and subsequent introduction into the food chain. A study was carried out to investigate the heavy metal contents in industrially contaminated soils collected from six different locations of Dhaka and Mymensingh districts and their effects on two important vegetables namely tomato and cabbage. Pot experiment was conducted using contaminated soils at the net house of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The higher level of heavy metal contents was found in the soil samples of Hajaribag and Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ). The highest Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu and Fe contents were 59.45, 18.79, 67.57, 40.81 and 1619.61 µg g−1 which were much above the recommended level except Cu contents. The highest yield of vegetables was obtained grown in Maskanda soil of Mymensingh district and the lowest from DEPZ soil of Dhaka. The highest Ni, Cr and Fe contents were 8.91, 7.22, 419.65 µg g−1, respectively in tomato fruits grown in the soil of Hajaribag whereas the highest Cu content (3.38 µg g−1) was obtained from Seedstore soil, Mymensingh and highest Cd content (2.88 µg g−1) was from Mitford ghat soil, Dhaka. In cabbage, the highest Ni (17.52 µg g−1) and Fe (411.25 µg g−1) contents were found in the soils of DEPZ whereas the highest Cr (9.17 µg g−1), Cd (3.52 µg g−1) and Cu (8.51 µg g−1) were obtained in the plants grown in the soils of Hajaribag, Mitford ghat and Maskanda, respectively. Concentrations of all the tested heavy metals except Cu in both vegetables were above the maximum allowable limit prescribed by the World Health Organization. Among the metals, the accumulation of Ni was found as higher amount (0.39 and 0.71 for tomato and cabbage, respectively) based on plant concentration factor or transfer factor. The results showed a positive correlation between concentration of the metals present in soils and in vegetables and the highest correlation was found with Cr in tomato and Fe in cabbage. However, both the soils and grown vegetables were consistently observed to pose a risk to human health. So, it can be recommended that government should take necessary action so that heavy metals used in the industries cannot come into the nearby agricultural field to ensure food safety as well as food security. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(3): 288–294, 2019


2014 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Hafiza Ab Razak ◽  
Sarva Mangala Praveena ◽  
Zailina Hashim

AbstractToenail is metabolic end product of the skin, which can provide information about heavy metal accumulation in human cells. Slow growth rates of toenail can represent heavy metal exposure from 2 to 12 months before the clipping. The toenail is a non-invasive biomarker that is easy to collect and store and is stable over time. In this systematic review, the suitability of toenail as a long-term biomarker was reviewed, along with the analysis and validation of toenail and confounders to heavy metal. This systematic review has included 30 articles chosen from a total of 132 articles searched from online electronic databases like Pubmed, Proquest, Science Direct, and SCOPUS. Keywords used in the search included “toenail”, “biomarker”, “heavy metal”, and “drinking water”. Heavy metal in toenail can be accurately analyzed using an ICP-MS instrument. The validation of toenail heavy metal concentration data is very crucial; however, the Certified Reference Material (CRM) for toenail is still unavailable. Usually, CRM for hair is used in toenail studies. Confounders that have major effects on heavy metal accumulation in toenail are dietary intake of food and supplement, smoking habit, and overall health condition. This review has identified the advantages and limitations of using toenail as a biomarker for long-term exposure, which can help future researchers design a study on heavy metal exposure using toenail.


Author(s):  
Francesco Lombardi ◽  
Giulia Costa ◽  
Maria Chiara Di Lonardo ◽  
Alessio Lieto

This work evaluated and compared potential impacts related to the accumulation and/or release of heavy metals resulting from the application of different types of stabilized waste to soil. Namely, the following three types of flows were considered: waste produced by aerobic bio-stabilization of municipal solid waste at a Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant, and compost produced either from aerobic composting or from a combination of anaerobic and aerobic biodegradation processes. After a preliminary characterization of the materials (organic matter content, volatile solid, and heavy metals content), heavy metal accumulation in soil caused by possible long-term application of these organic materials was evaluated by implementing a discretized mass balance based on the total content of the heavy metals in each type of solid matrix investigated. In addition, results of percolation leaching tests performed on each type of material were presented and discussed. Results highlight that although the total content of heavy metals of the three types of materials differed considerably, with the MBT waste presenting the highest concentrations, the results of the leaching percolation tests were quite similar.


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