A Study on Heavy Metal Sources and Pollution: Challenge to Biological and Ecosystem

Abstract

The heavy metals pollution is a major environmental problem the modem  world is facing today. These are major inorganic contaminants in the  environment. Though a number of heavy metals are essential micronutrients  for both plants and animals, but these are toxic at higher concentrations. The  heavy metal ions of Al, Cr, Mn,Ca, Fe, Ni, Ca, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb are major  inorganic contaminants in the environment. These also affect soil microbial populations and their metabolic activities. These adversely affect the molecular  mechanisms of life. The weathering of bedrock, volcanoes, forest fires and dust  are natural sources of heavy metals to soils and ecosystems. The man made  activities such as mining, smelting, printing, battery-manufacturing,  electroplating, tanning etc. are resulting in high concentrations of these metals  in the environments. This study described the different sources of heavy  metals and their health hazards.