Progress in the Research of the Toxicity Effect Mechanisms of Heavy Metals on Freshwater Organisms and Their Water Quality Criteria in China

Ya-Jun Hong,Wei Liao,Zhen-Fei Yan,Ying-Chen Bai,Cheng-Lian Feng,Zu-Xin Xu,Da-Yong Xu

doi:10.1155/2020/9010348

Abstract

Water quality criteria are the scientific basis for formulating water quality standards and environmental management practices. Due to the development of urbanization and industrialization, the problem of heavy metal pollution has become a serious environmental problem. Heavy metals not only have major impacts on aquatic organisms, but also seriously threaten human health. However, the current environmental criteria refer to the maximum value limitations of environmental factors in environmental media where harmful or detrimental effects are not produced on specific protected objects. This study reviewed the sources, hazard levels, toxic effect mechanisms, and the current research status of China’s water quality criteria for heavy metal pollutants. In addition, the focus and direction of future research on the toxic effects of heavy metal on aquatic organisms and the necessary criteria changes were discussed. The present study would provide an important theoretical basis for the future research of water quality criteria and risk assessment of heavy metal pollutants.

Highlights

Heavy metals are becoming one of the most serious environmental problems due to their persistence, biological toxicity, nondegradability, and capability of entering the food chain
Experts and researchers around the world have completed a great deal of valuable research regarding the toxic effects and mechanisms of heavy metals
Major achievements have been reached in the field of effective water environment quality standard systems

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metals are becoming one of the most serious environmental problems due to their persistence, biological toxicity, nondegradability, and capability of entering the food chain. Due to the major potential harmful effects of heavy metals in water on both aquatic organisms and humans, many experts and researchers have carried out intensive investigations regarding the ecological toxicity of heavy metals. Based on the aforementioned important issues, this research study summarized the sources and potential hazards of heavy metal pollutants in water, as well as the toxic effect mechanisms of heavy metals on aquatic organisms. En, using the obtained insights, this study presented suggestions for the focus and direction of future research regarding the biological toxic effects of heavy metals on aquatic organisms and potential revisions to China’s current criteria system. Erefore, the results of the present study provide an important theoretical basis for the examination of water quality standards and risk assessments of heavy metal pollution hazards The status of the current research regarding the water quality criteria of heavy metals in China was examined. en, using the obtained insights, this study presented suggestions for the focus and direction of future research regarding the biological toxic effects of heavy metals on aquatic organisms and potential revisions to China’s current criteria system. e further studies of the ecological toxic effects of heavy metals on aquatic organisms will provide important references for the evaluations of the ecological toxicity of heavy metals on aquatic organisms, as well as assisting in identifying effective environmental treatment methods for heavy metal pollution in water bodies. erefore, the results of the present study provide an important theoretical basis for the examination of water quality standards and risk assessments of heavy metal pollution hazards

Hazards of Heavy Metal Pollutants in Water Bodies

Toxic Effects and Mechanisms of Heavy Metals on Aquatic Organisms

Findings

Conclusions and Prospects