Occurrence and impact of heavy metals on environment

Abstract

Heavy metals are introduced into the environment by naturally occurring phenomenon like volcanic eruption, rock weathering and many more. As well as by human activities are also equally engaged in the contamination of the environment such as industrial discharge, excessive automotive use, resource extraction, metallurgy, anthropogenic activities, metallurgy, and so on. Because of the dramatic increase in health hazards that is directly associated with vital heavy metal exposure. Though many heavy metals are vital for survival on Earth, they can also have a negative and significant impact on all living bodies (such as plants, animals, and microorganisms). They can damage tissues and even lead to severe organ damage/impairment, the functioning of some organs can also be severely affected, neurological disorders can eventuate, and even lead to death. Heavy metal even adds adverse effect on the function of reproduction like drastic change in sperm, count in males, imbalance of hormones, motility etc. Efficiency of reproduction is get affected by hazardous heavy metals. Toxicity factor depend on various subfactors like the amount of consumption (dose), route, age group, and other genetics parameters. These toxicants can induce efficiency of multiple organs, though at low dosage or exposure.