Sources of Heavy Metals Pollution

Abstract

Heavy metals emanate from geogenic (natural) and anthropogenic (man-made) sources. These chemical species can poses severe ecological pollution and environmental degradation due to their high toxicity and non-bio-degradable nature. In this book chapter, the sources of heavy metals in the environment, pathways, ecological fate and footprints, eco-toxicological effects, regulatory frameworks, treatment technologies, valorization options and recovery in light of the future perspectives are explicitly discussed. The possible resources to be recovered such as metal hydroxides and their potential economic benefit are explicitly discussed. Furthermore, the avenues for heavy metals recovery in a circular economy concept are highlighted. Thenceforth, this book chapter has shown that the heavy metals could pose mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects to living organisms on exposure. The link between heavy metals and various eco-toxicological studies and epidemiological reports are also discussed. Finally, the future research outlooks and potential avenues towards the minimization of ecological footprints of heavy metals pollution are duly underscored.