Heavy metal pollution – A mini review

Abstract

Soil contamination due to human oriented activities is an emerging issue in the present world. There are several pollutants from different industries which are released in the nearby soils. Among these pollutants, heavy metals constitute non-biodegradable, toxic and persistent pollutants which adversely affect ecological niche of all life forms, including humans. The detrimental effects of these heavy metals on living organisms are attributable to a number of cellular and biochemical processes in living organisms. In humans, these are known to cause various physiological disorders of respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal system. The biotoxicity of heavy metals depends on their concentration, chemical forms and bioavailability.