J M Wood’s research while affiliated with University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and other places

Toxic substances in the environment can be categorized as naturally occurring toxic elements and compounds and toxic compounds that are synthesized industrially. In this article, some of the chemical and biochemical transformations of toxic elements in the environment are described, with particular emphasis being placed on the role played by microorganisms. The author also shows that the present knowledge of biological cycles of toxic elements enables one to predict the behavior of other toxic elements in the environment. Discussed are microbial interconversions of toxic elements, heavy metals, and the metalloids.