Toxic Metals - Science topic

Calamintha incana (C. incana) is widely used in Palestine as a medicinal tea, traditionally valued for its therapeutic properties and aromatic essential oils. The region’s diverse topography and rich biodiversity contribute to the plant’s unique phytochemical and elemental composition. While the essential oils of C. incana have been previously stud...

Underground water is a vital element in the progress of any region, serving as a primary source of drinkable, farming, and factory water. Historically, there was a belief that rock deposits and topsoil, functioning as filtration agents, shielded subsurface water from contamination. Groundwater pollution is a widespread issue that profoundly affects...

Industrialization and civilization has increased the level of toxic metal ions found in the various spheres of the environment including the hydrosphere. Hence, emergent technologies that are economically feasible and highly efficient must be studied and explored, with the aim of promoting better environmental and human life quality. Plants are kno...

Stabilizing toxic elements in mine wastes is a practical strategy for countermeasures against improper disposal. Kabwe, Zambia, one of Africa’s most lead (Pb)-polluted cities, faces severe contamination from historic zinc plant residues (ZPRs). This study validates the chemical stabilization of Pb and zinc (Zn) in ZPRs using half-burnt dolomite (Hb...

Glaciers represent unique and threatened ecosystems, which have accumulated and continue receiving diverse, potentially toxic, and environmental contaminants released by past and ongoing anthropic activities. The accelerated ablation and retreat of glaciers due to climate warming can consequently alter the fate of contaminants trapped within their...

In this study, commercial fucoidan was subjected to comprehensive physicochemical and structural characterization to evaluate its potential for removing heavy metal ions from aqueous media. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) confirmed the presence of sulfated heterofucans, with distinct sig...

Purpose of Review This review imparts the information on melanin as a multifunctional biomolecule, emphasizing the diversity of sources like microbial, plant, and human, and accentuating its potential as a sustainable material. It deliberately focuses on current advances in utilizing melanin for inventive applications in important areas such as foo...

A series of coastal development initiatives have been recently implemented in the East Harbor area of Tieshan Harbor, Guangxi Province, China. However, the ecological impacts of these reclamation activities on toxic metal pollution levels in shallow mangrove sediments within the intertidal zones adjacent to Langen Village, Tieshan Bay (Beibu Gulf),...

Background: Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are known for their detrimental effects on fetal neurodevelopment and endocrine function. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence and transfer of Pb and Cd from maternal amniotic fluid (AF) to neonatal meconium during pregnancy. Methods: AF and meconium samples were collected from 30 mother-newbor...

The article describes the possibilities of managing and neutralizing industrial and municipal waste in concrete production, recycling, and forming processes. These possibilities relate to the immobilization of contaminants by creating durable systems using hydraulic binders. This is achievable by converting soluble compounds into insoluble forms th...

The worsening environmental, social and economic problems associated with the use of fossil fuels intensifies the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy sources, driving the adoption of technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles. Although often promoted as sustainable solutions, these technologies have intrinsic ch...

Heavy metals in agricultural soil are hazardous to the environment and human beings. So, the current study was hypothesized that Trichoderma harzianum maize biochar (MBT), and maize biochar zinc oxide nanocomposite (MB-ZnO) could effectively stabilize Cd and Cu in a polluted soil and evaluate their synergistic effects on Sesbania sesban L. (Merr.)...

Atmospheric emissions of industrial-origin trace metals are a major environmental problem that negatively affects air quality and the functioning of forest ecosystems. Traditional air quality monitoring methods require investments in equipment and infrastructure. Indeed, it is difficult to measure most of these pollutants because their concentratio...

Barely (Hordeum vulgare L.), an essential crop accounting for roughly 15% of global caloric consumption, confronts substantial risks from toxic metal pollution, especially drought stress, (Pb) and mercury (Hg) stress, endangering global food safety. The current research sought to examine synergistic impacts of abovementioned stressors and efficacy...

The air quality survey has been conducted by the institute for parameters of PM 10 , PM 2.5, SO 2 , NO 2 , Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Noise levels of day-time and night-tome at 9 monitoring sites covering representative residential, commercial, and industrial areas of Lucknow city during April and May, 2025 (i.e., pre-monsoon 2025) to assess the e...

Background: Honey is a beekeeping product with high nutritional value, considered a bio-indicator of environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to determine the mineral content in honey by analyzing toxic metals in accordance with EU regulations and evaluating the intake of microelements through honey consumption. Methods: Honey samples of...

A Ka-Band, 26.5–40 GHz, omnidirectional metamaterial-inspired antenna was designed, built, and tested to develop a simple printed compact (10.3 mm × 10.3 mm × 0.0787 mm) multiple-point sensor for air pollution monitoring. This Ka-band antenna generated a dual band at 27.49–29.74 GHz and 33.0–34.34 GHz. The VSWR values within the two bands are less...

Children are strongly frequent consumers of flavored dairy pro ducts chosen and encouraged by their mothers to achieve nutritional requirements. Therefore, this study was implemented to assess flavored dairy products (UHT milk, pasteurized milk, milk powder, yogurt, drinking yogurt, and ice cream) with two diversified flavors for each product for t...

The kidney is rich in mitochondria that are vulnerable to toxic metal injury during the filtration, secretion, and reabsorption processes required for the excretion of wastes, solutes, and xenobiotics. Understanding the mechanisms of mitochondrial toxicity of metals can provide critical insights into the mitochondrial etiology of kidney damage and...

Marine engineered structures alter the coastal ecosystems' functionality, replacing natural substrates with flat surfaces, often negatively impacting biodiversity. While providing coastal protection, artificial structures can hinder the initial colonisation by biofilm and the recruitment of coastal species. Greening the grey infrastructure through...

The intricate and multifaceted relationship between environmental pollutants, particularly heavy metals such as cadmium, and human health has been extensively documented, with a significant focus on their neurotoxic effects. Notably, the connection between cadmium exposure and Alzheimer’s disease is becoming increasingly evident, prompting a deeper...

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal that poses a threat to human health and animals through food chain as well as impacts on plants even at low concentrations. It is a global environmental issue due to its widely distributed and has natural source and increasing anthropogenic activities such as metal industries, sewage sludges, mining, wastewater,...

The present study investigates the concentrations of 14 trace and heavy metals (Ag, Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg, As, and Se) in two oceanic tuna species (Thunnus albacares and Katsuwonus pelamis) collected from the Tharuvaikulam fish landing centre along the Tuticorin coast, Southeast India, to evaluate potential health risks associa...

This study investigates toxic metal contamination in the sediments of the Değirmendere River Basin (riverbed and estuary) in Türkiye, with the aim of assessing pollution levels, ecological risks, and the seasonal variability of metal concentrations. Sediment samples were collected from 20 stations during the summer and winter of 2022 and analyzed u...

Due to the high risk to human health associated with chromium ions contamination in water, strategies for removing this toxic metal have been increasingly studied. To avoid environmental pollution and promote a circular economy, it is necessary to eliminate chromium from wastewater and recycle it. Among the strategies available, the incorporation o...

Innovative low-cost magneto-biochar-clay (MBC 1:2:1 and MBC 1:3:1) composite adsorbents formed by a one-step combination of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), biochar (from grape cluster stalk), and feldspar clay were employed for Cd(II), Cr(VI), and Cu(II) removal from simulated contaminated aqueous solution. The composites expressed higher cation exch...

Detecting toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, has become a pressing concern in the environmental and food industries because of their detrimental impact on human well-being. The study outlines an experimental method for detecting heavy metals, specifically mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), using colourimetric techniques...

This report critically evaluates five key strategies for treating heavy-metal-contaminated wastewaters—chemical precipitation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, adsorption, and electrochemical methods. It emphasizes the environmental risks posed by toxic metals like Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cr³⁺, and outlines the strengths and limitations of ea...

Excessive alcohol consumption poses a challenge to public health across Europe, but especially in the Balkan region, where alcohol from unrecorded sources, particularly home-distilled rakia, is widely consumed. Our previous research identified elevated lead and copper levels in rakia from these sources collected in Albania. However, due to its disp...

Prolonged exposure to high doses of certain toxic metals can cause cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects in cats and dogs. This study aimed to determine the levels of potentially toxic elements in various prescription and non-prescription commercial diets for cats and dogs. A total of 84 dry cat diets and 152 dry dog diets were analyzed. P...

With increasing global concerns over environmental pollution and resource sustainability, green chemistry has become the core direction of the transformation of the chemical industry. Traditional catalytic processes often rely on highly toxic metals and corrosive reagents, resulting in significant environmental burdens. Therefore, developing effici...

Entrance of metals in any form through any pathway causes significant damage to human health. The present study quantifies probabilistic health risk for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic metals entering through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes within the human body for different age groups (children and adults). Water soluble metals (major...

Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) are persistent heavy metals commonly found in agricultural environments, where they pose a serious risk due to their high potential for bioaccumulation in the food chain. Therefore, effective management through advanced agricultural practices is crucial to minimize their presence and immobilize these contaminants in so...

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health burden influenced by genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Among these, exposure to per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and toxic metals has been increasingly implicated in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, the mediating role of dietary inflammation in these...

This study assesses metal leaching from biomass briquettes combusted with catalyst additives and evaluates their environmental implications. Biomass briquettes enhanced with various catalyst additives were subjected to controlled combustion tests, and the resulting ash and emissions were analyzed for metal content using atomic absorption spectrosco...

Kutno is a picturesque city in central Poland, known for extensive rose breeding worldwide. Soil samples and rose petals were collected from 13 locations in the city and characterized by diverse environments. This allowed determining the response of plants to changing cultivation conditions. Rose petals have found a wide range of applications. They...

This study investigated the environmental impact and health challenges of poorly managed solid waste materials. During this study, soil specimens were sampled at five spatial points (within a radius of 250 m) from the active and passive unlined dumpsites. Thereafter, the electrical properties and microbiology levels of the heavy metals, cadmium (Cd...

Background Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill), a vital source of edible oil and protein, ranks seventh in global agricultural production, yet its productivity is significantly hindered by potential toxic metal/liods (PTM) stress. Arsenic (As), a highly toxic soil contaminant, poses substantial risks to both plants and humans, even at trace concentrat...

Offshore wind farms (OWFs) are a key technology for renewable energy production. In the context of increased deployment of offshore energy infrastructure, it is important to estimate the potential chemical impacts of OWFs on the environment. These include emissions from galvanic anodes made of AlZnIn alloys, which may also contain other elements li...

Background Environmental heavy metal exposure is a potential yet understudied risk factor for heart failure (HF), a global health burden with rising prevalence. While toxic metals like cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) are linked to cardiovascular diseases, their roles in HF incidence and prognosis remain unclear. Methods The associatio...

Rapid industrialization has led to widespread environmental contamination by toxic metals. The aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera (AMO) has previously been shown to effectively inhibit intracellular metal accumulation. In this study, we screened 24 Thai herbal extracts for their detoxification efficacy against toxic metals and identified the aqueo...

Surface water is vital for environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity but is highly vulnerable to heavy metals (HMs) pollution from human activities. The focus of this research is to provide an analysis of ecological and human exposure to HMs in the Sebou Basin, an agriculturally significant region within Morocco's Gharb Plain. Usin...

In this study, we developed a magnetic composite using Muscovite which was functionalized with Fe2O3 and sodium folate (FTS: C19H18N7NaO6) to remove Sm(III), Co(II), and Ni(II) metal ions from wastewater. Various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourie...

Microbial fuel cells (MFC), as a sustainable and eco-friendly technology, exhibit a dual advantage of "waste-to-resource conversion" in the remediation of heavy metal-laden wastewater. This approach leverages electroactive microorganisms to metabolize organic substrates for bioelectricity generation while concurrently driving the reduction and immo...

Microplastic pollution has become a widespread and pressing concern globally due to its increasing accumulation and hidden threat to human health, wildlife, and the environment. In recent years, there have been few reports on the invisible threat of microplastic exacerbated by paper cups and tea bags, which have attracted considerable public attent...

The remediation of contaminated soils with heavy metals is a critical environmental policy in both developing and industrialized countries. The various adsorbents utilization is an effective method for the immobilization of toxic metals in contaminated soils. The present research sought to evaluate lead (Pb) immobilization in contaminated calcareou...

Using a sequential extraction scheme, this study investigated the fractions of metals, including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn, in soils from two mining areas (Amansie and Konongo) and a non-mining community (Mampong) in Ghana. The elements were fractionated into exchangeable, carbonate-bound, reducible, oxidizable, and residual forms to assess th...

Soil pollution, characterized by the presence of harmful chemicals or substances in concentrations that adversely affect non-target organisms, is a growing environmental concern. The projected global population increase of 2 billion over the next 30 years has intensified the demand for agricultural productivity, leading to widespread soil degradati...

The escalating concentrations of emerging contaminants in water systems and the possible environmental threats they emphasize the necessity for more sophisticated methods in the evaluation of water quality. Traditional bioassays raise ethical concerns, require intricate procedures, entail significant expenses, and only allow for endpoint measuremen...

Coupled with our development is our contribution to environmental problems. The more we earn, the more we spend, and the more we spend, the more is our accumulated waste. This review aims to determine the most macroplastics found, the social and environmental effects of macroplastics on biotic and abiotic environment, and the proposed solutions to...

Introduction Fish consumption can be a primary pathway for human exposure to toxic metals such as, Cd, As, Hg, and Pb. Even at relatively low concentrations, long-term exposure to these metals might result in accumulation levels leading to toxicity. Therefore, monitoring their concentrations in fish regularly is crucial to ensure consumer safety. W...

Heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils is a growing environmental concern, particularly due to the increasing accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) from industrial discharge, wastewater irrigation, and excessive fertilizer use. These toxic metals severely impact crop productivity by disrupting nutrient uptake, damaging root struct...

The growing scarcity of freshwater has accelerated the global deployment of desalination technologies, especially reverse osmosis (RO), as an alternative to meet increasing water demands. However, this process generates substantial quantities of brine—a hypersaline waste stream that can severely impact marine ecosystems if improperly managed. This...

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a cationic ion-exchange sorbent derived from vermiculite and epoxy acrylate copolymers, designed to address freshwater scarcity by removing toxic metal ions from aqueous environments. The sorbent was engineered to preserve the chemical integrity of freshwater while adhering to environmenta...

Introduction Heavy metals have posed significant threats to aquatic organisms and human health globally. Mercury (Hg (II)) is of particular concern due to its persistence and harmful environmental properties. Different physical and chemical separation approaches have been proposed to remove Hg (II) ions from water and wastewater. Regarding the avai...

Potentially toxic elements (PTE), such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As), threaten rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop productivity and pose significant risks to human health when they are present in soil. This review summarizes the current understanding of soil and rice contamination with As, Cd, and Pb to provide an in-depth understanding of t...

Zero-valent iron (ZVI), particularly in its nanoscale form (nZVI), is now considered a highly promising material for the remediation of toxic metal ions from polluted groundwater owing to its strong reductive potential, significant surface area, and reactive behavior. This review systematically explores the application of pristine and modified ZVI...

Porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) hold promise as photocatalyst candidates for the remediation of toxic metal ions and organic pollutants. However, they often exhibit inferior removal and catalytic efficiency due to the rapid recombination of photoexcited electrons and holes. This review presents synthetic strat...

Creation of alkaline bulk layers from mining waste is economically viable way to prevent the migration of toxic metals down the soil profile and revegetate heavy polluted soils over large areas. We have conducted perennial experiments on the revegetation of industrial barren located near the operating nonferrous smelter in humid subarctic climate....

Silver ion (Ag⁺) is a highly toxic metal ion, and its monitoring in water or food resources has become extraordinarily necessary within the scope of human health. In the light of the fact of Ag⁺-induced folding structure of specific peptides, an unlabeled and high-selectivity Ag⁺ assay is presented by means of intrinsic fluorescence of peptides. Un...

Water pollution by toxic metals, especially by lead ions, is a serious environmental concern due to these metals’ persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Aiming to reduce metal concentrations to non-toxic levels, this study analyzed the removal of lead from water through adsorption with bio-adsorbents. The adsorbent potential of the following f...

Recently, non-conventional strategies for water treatment strongly point to the implementation of wetlands. The objective of this investigation was to describe the physicochemical behavior in the biosorption of contaminants through macrophyte masses (MM) formed by Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes dispersed over a eutrophic lake and its tr...

Organic and inorganic contaminants are entrained into environmental systems through natural and anthropogenic processes, such as mining activities, manufacturing, and waste disposal. In terrestrial and aquatic environments, the contaminant(s) remediation can be achieved by immobilization, thereby inhibiting their dispersal and bioavailability. Mobi...

Existing dietary Cd exposure guidelines that were based on β2M excretion at a rate above 300 µg/g creatinine as a critical kidney effect are not low enough to be protective of population health, especially in those with low body iron stores and marginal intake of zinc. In low-dose exposure situations, an elevation of β2M excretion does not reliably...

Mining activities in Nigeria, particularly artisanal and small-scale operations, pose significant risks to water quality due to heavy metal contamination. This study evaluated the concentrations of toxic metals including lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and cadmium (Cd) in water samples collected from the Maibokati mining region in Bali L.G.A,...

Effusive basaltic eruptions are an important source of volatile trace elements to the troposphere. Constraining the effects of background atmospheric conditions on the transport behavior and plume lifetimes of these elements is critical, both in the use of trace elements as proxies in the geological record, and in mitigating exposure to these eleme...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a noteworthy global health issue affecting 10% of the world’s populace. It is increasingly linked to environmental exposures; however, the interplay of toxic metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and essential elements has not been fully elucidated. This cross-sectional study analyzed 5800 out of the 92...

Toxic metal contamination in the environment is pervasive and of significant concern due to its high abundance in agricultural lands across the globe. Future engineering of plants tolerant to toxic metals requires a detailed understanding of plant responses to these toxins, which are currently poorly understood. We discovered that, among four toxic...

In the present study, the ecosystem of Roebuck (RF) and Nesbit blueberry plantation (NBP) farms in Mississippi state, USA that differed by type of fertilizer treatment was assessed using soil samples through geophysical-chemical parameters and metagenomics studies. Soil geophysical-chemical parameters such as pH, moisture, organic content, nutrient...

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality globally, accounting for approximately one-third of all deaths. Exposure to toxic metals poses significant risks to cardiovascular health, contributing to the development of CVDs. Essential elements are crucial for maintaining cardiovascular function; however, imbalances or deficienc...

Scientists state that in recent years, the level of soil contamination worldwide has significantly increased, mainly due to atmospheric deposits, floods, agricultural and industrial activities, and mining. Soil contamination is a widespread issue that negatively impacts the functions and processes of soil microorganisms. This pollution is associate...

Clavelina oblonga is an invasive tropical tunicate recently introduced into the Adriatic Sea as a consequence of globalization and climate change. Mussel aquaculture sites provide an ideal environment for this colonial ascidian, where it has recently become the dominant fouling species. This study represents the first investigation of its biologica...

Port Everglades is an industrial seaport in South Florida that requires periodic maintenance dredging, suspending potentially contaminated sediments laden with metals and organotins. Directly south of the entrance to Port Everglades is an aggregation of queen conch Aliger gigas, where we have previously documented the presence of masculinized femal...

The rapid growth of e-waste from advancing technology raises urgent environmental and health concerns, driven largely by printed circuit boards. This study evaluated toxic metals (As and Cd) and flame retardants (ƩPBDEs) in waste printed circuit boards (WPrCBs), soil, and borehole water from a dumpsite. WPrCBs exhibited the highest As (10.63 mg/kg)...

Rhodopseudomonas is recognized for its versatile metabolic capabilities that enable it to effectively degrade pollutants and survive various environmental stresses. In this study, we conducted a genome analysis of Rhodopseudomonas sp. P1 to investigate its genetic potential for wastewater treatment processes. Phylogenetic and genome-relatedness ana...

Heavy metals (HMs) in PM2.5 have been extensively studied for their toxicity and carcinogenic risk. In this study, the toxicity and spatial health risks of PM2.5-HMs from on-road vehicles were investigated in the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou (XZQ) metropolitan area in southeast China in 2021. The results show that the emissions of PM2.5 and PM2.5-HMs...

Objective: To investigate the capacity of orange and passion fruit peels as biosorbents for the metals copper, cadmium and lead in aqueous solutions. Theoretical Framework: Population and industrial growth leads to an increase in the generation of waste and effluents, which can cause negative impacts when not treated. The presence of toxic metals i...

The growing incidence of breast cancer over time suggests that environmental factors might contribute to the underlying causes of the disease. Mercury, a toxic metal classified as a Substance of Very High Concern, accumulates in the body through contaminated food, air, water, and soil, raising concerns about its role in tumor biology. The main aim...

The present study was conducted to analyze the contents of various macronutrients, micronutrients and potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in wheat and rice shoot samples collected from villages around Harike wetland, India. In wheat shoots, levels of most macronutrients and in rice shoots levels of Na, S and P were found to be below the normal requirem...