A Study on Heavy Metal Sources and Pollution: Challenge to Biological and Ecosystem

Abstract The heavy metals pollution is a major environmental problem the modem world is facing today. These are major inorganic contaminants in the environment. Though a number of heavy metals are essential micronutrients for both plants and animals, but these are toxic at higher concentrations. The heavy metal ions of Al, Cr, Mn,Ca, Fe, Ni, Ca, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb are major inorganic contaminants in the environment. These also affect soil microbial populations and their metabolic activities. These adversely affect the molecular mechanisms of life. The weathering of bedrock, volcanoes, forest fires and dust are natural sources of heavy metals to soils and ecosystems. The man made activities such as mining, smelting, printing, battery-manufacturing, electroplating, tanning etc. are resulting in high concentrations of these metals in the environments. This study described the different sources of heavy metals and their health hazards. Keywords: Heavy metals, Pollution, Microbial populations, Toxic, Molecular Mechanisms.