Metais pesados provenientes de rejeitos de mineração e seus efeitos sobre a saúde e o meio ambiente

Abstract

The increase in the concentrations of heavy metals in soil and water close to mining zones can be related with chemical and biological processes that control the solubility, readiness and mobility of these metals. The toxic effects of the heavy metals on the human being are associated to its organic and inorganic compositions. These effects are determined by the amount of metals and the time of exposure. Based in a literature review, the present article focuses and discusses important aspects of the study of metals as arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury as dangerous mining rejects.