Biological implications of atmospheric and pedospheric levels of heavy metals

Abolanle A A Kayode; Muhammad Akram; Umme Laila; Omar Ali Al-Khashman; Omowumi T; Kayode; Walaa Fikry Mohammed Elbossaty; Abolanle A A Kayode; Muhammad Akram; Umme Laila; Omar Ali Al-Khashman; Omowumi T; Kayode; Walaa Fikry Mohammed Elbossaty

ISSN: 2692-4633

Advances in Toxicology and Toxic Effects

Mini Review Open Access Peer-Reviewed

Biological implications of atmospheric and pedospheric levels of heavy metals

Abolanle A A Kayode^1*, Muhammad Akram², Umme Laila², Omar Ali Al-Khashman³, Omowumi T. Kayode⁴ and Walaa Fikry Mohammed Elbossaty⁵

Author and article information

¹Department of Biochemistry, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
²Department of Eastern Medicine, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
³Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, P.O.Box 20 Ma’an, Jordan
⁴Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Mountain Top University, Ogun State, Nigeria
⁵Department of Chemistry, Damietta University, Egypt

*Corresponding author: Kayode AA Abolanle, Lecturer and Researcher, Department of Biochemistry, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, Tel: 08038272670; E-mail: kayodeab@babcock.edu.ng

DOI: 10.17352/atte.000010

Received: 23 September, 2020 | Accepted: 02 March, 2021 | Published: 03 March, 2021

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7101-9177

Keywords: Heavy metals; Contaminants; Atmosphere; Soil; Health

Cite this as

Kayode A. A. A, Akram M, Laila U, Al-Khashman OA, Kayode OT, et al. (2021) Biological implications of atmospheric and pedospheric levels of heavy metals. Adv Toxicol Toxic Effects 5(1): 001-004. DOI: 10.17352/atte.000010

Abstract

Heavy metals and pollutants are gaining more and more attention nowadays. Heavy metals at high concentrations have an undesirable effect on soil, plants, animals, and humans. The high concentrations of these minerals reduce the activity of microbiological organisms, which affect the quality of the soil and is reflected in the inhibition of the physiological activity of plants. If plants absorb these minerals, they affect the food chain and thus reflect on plants and animals. Heavy metals have an effect on water bodies and marine organisms, as water pollution with these minerals leads to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species that cause harm to fish and marine organisms. Therefore, it is necessary to use fertilizers that are free of those heavy metals in order to get rid of the harmful effects of heavy metals.

Main article text

Introduction

One of the most important causes of soil and air pollution is human industrial activity, as some heavy metals are produced from it. Irregularities in the discharge/emissions from iron and steel factories, batteries, paints, and ceramics into the water, these do not only contribute to water pollution, but negatively affect soil and living organisms, as the accumulation of chromium, lead, and mercury leads to biological changes in terms of changing the chemical composition of proteins and amino acids which affect living organisms [1]. Plants are also affected greatly by these minerals, as they absorb them, leading to their accumulation, which leads to weak oxidative stress, cell clumping and death. Research seeks to raise the rate of plant resistance to these minerals by reducing their absorption, which improves plant productivity and crop quality [2].

Heavy metals are known as non-biodegradable pollutants that have a negative impact not only on the surrounding environment, but also on the health of humans and animals. It effectively affects some vital organs and biological processes, and the most important of these are the digestive and respiratory systems. The toxicity of these heavy metals depends on their concentrations and chemical activities [3]. The most abundant heavy metals are mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), stannum (Sn), and vanadium (V) [4]. These heavy metals are dispersed by winds and running water where these minerals are transported and may cause erosion in the surface layer of the soil in addition to their effects on the plant compounds. These metals are of enormous economic importance as they are used in some industries for items such as cars, self-cleaning ovens, and golf clubs. In addition to being involved in many biological processes such as iron and copper, which are involved in electron transport, cobalt contributes to raising the metabolic process inside the cell. Chromium is used in sugar metabolism. Zinc and vanadium play important role in regulating the action of some enzymes. Nickel is important in cell growth. Chromium regulates the level of glucose and tin is used in the growth and development of some marine organisms [5].

Despite the importance of these elements, some of these metals become toxic when they exceed the permissible limits; including sulfur, which is associated with the thiol group and inhibits some enzymes involved in the process of regulating the level of sugar. Increase in lead and mercury causes damage to the central nervous system [6-8]. The methods used to determine the percentage of heavy metals include Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS); Atomic Emission/Fluorescence Spectrometry (AES/AFS); inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES); neutron activation analysis (NAA), X-ray fluorescence(X RF); and Anodic Striping Voltammetry (AVS) [9].

Effect of heavy metals on soil

Soil pollution with heavy metals impacts risks to human health and the ecosystem. It affects disruptions in the ecosystem, the food chain, and food security. Microorganisms are affected and their activity depends on the concentration of these heavy metals, as the higher the concentration of these minerals, the less soil quality and less activity. Scientists have found that there is a relationship between soil quality and copper concentration. If the copper concentration is 50 mg/kg, this will affect seedlings, and if it exceeds 200 mg/kg, the plant will be stressed and the leaves will wither. At a concentration of 30 μL/liter of cadmium, tissues and organ injury may occur and plant root growth may be inhibited [10]. Arsenic affects seed germination, chlorosis, and wilt, reduction in seedling height and plant yield. Cadmium inhibits plant growth, shortening of the root and stem, and reduced growth of branches. Cobalt reduces sugar, amino acids, protein contents and the activity of some enzymes. Chromium and copper reduces plant mass, root and stem growth. Lead reduces the number of leaves, fruits and plant mass. Zinc reduces the process of plant growth and the chlorophyll content, which affects the process of photosynthesis, Figure 1 [11]. It is possible to get rid of heavy metals in the soil through remediation. Remediation methods are divided into physical (by replacing the soil or thermal adsorption of the soil), chemical (chemical filtration, chemical fixation and electrotherapy) and biological (phytotherapy and microbial treatment) [12].

Effect of heavy metals on animal

Heavy metals affect animal health, as they enter the animal’s body either when they consume crops that have accumulation of heavy metals through heavy metal-rich soil, or by drinking water contaminated with heavy metals [4]. Among the heavy metals that affect animal health are lead, cadmium, mercury and zinc. These metals primarily affect the brain, liver, kidneys and the reproductive organs. They may cause hormonal imbalance, lack of eggs and sperm, poor growth of the placenta and reduced animal production. Scientific studies have also shown that animals that grazed in places rich in these heavy metals are more prone to infertility compared to those who do not [13]. Cadmium causes a decrease in the growth rate and weight of the animal, enlargement of the joints, infections of the liver cells, atrophy of the reproductive organs, cancer, and kidney damage. While exposure to lead causes calcium deficiency, which results in weak bones and osteoporosis and in some cases it may induce paralysis, high rates of miscarriage and abdominal pain. Copper causes damage to liver cells, degradation of red blood cells, diarrhea, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Zinc causes osteoporosis, joint inflammation, weight loss, loss of appetite, and bleeding Figure 2 [14].

The effect of heavy metals on the human body

Heavy metals become toxic to humans if they happen to accumulate in soft tissues. Mode of entrance into the body include through eating, drinking, breathing, or absorption through the skin [4]. The presence of heavy metals in high levels poses many health risks. Cadmium and mercury cause chronic kidney and liver disease, high blood pressure, and impaired reproductive functions. Lead causes liver damage, neurological and hematological disorders, and kidney failure. Zinc, chromium and copper can cause DNA damage and kidney failure. Among the most serious effects of exposure to nickel are chronic bronchitis, decreased lung efficiency, lung and sinus cancer (Figure 3) [15].

Many health-related issues occur when there is disturbance in the geo-chemical cycle of heavy metals by man [16]. Heavy metals which originate from the anthropogenic sources have more bioavailability when compared to other sources such as lithogenic and pedogenic sources [16,17]. These anthropogenic sources include bio solids, combustion of coal, manures from animals, petro-chemicals, deposition from the atmosphere, pesticides and lead based gasoline and paints [18]. High concentration of zinc, lead and cadmium are present in the soil [19,20,21].

Therefore, assessment of heavy metals in the soil in the urban areas and the potential health risks to man are necessary and important. Also, recommendations to the concerned government agencies and authorities must be the priorities of researchers in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment in our societies [22,23].

Conclusion

In view of the harmful effects resulting from the high concentrations of heavy metals that accompany the industrial revolution and the increase in pollution rates, all societies concerned with the health and safety of the environment and living organisms must strive to reduce these risks. Unauthorized disposal of waste containing high concentrations of these heavy metals should be discouraged. One of the best methods is to use microorganisms in the disposal of water and soil. Water with heavy metals contamination can be purified using microorganisms.

References

Copyright

© 2021 Kayode A. A. A, et al. This is an open-aaacess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.