Metal pollution

1. IMPACT OF HEAVY
METAL POLLUTION
ON THE
ENVIRONMENT
Biggest Environmental Issue
BY AJAY KUMAR ROY

2. INTRODUCTION
Heavy metals are chemical elements that are toxic in
nature even in smaller concentrations and some are
often categorized as carcinogenic.
HEAVY METALS :
Heavy metals are usually described as elements with higher atomic
mass, densities, or atomic numbers.
EXAMPLE OF HEAVY METALS:
The common examples of heavy metals are lead(Pb) ,
thalium(Tl), chromium(Cr), arsenic(As), cadmium(Cd),
mercury(Hg), etc.

3. HEAVY METAL POLLUTION:
Pollution or contamination of the environment due the
release of heavy metals into the ecosystem is called heavy
metal pollution. Heavy metals are environmental
contaminants.They are naturally toxic ,persistent and
bioaccumulative when present in the environment.
SOURCE OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION:
Source of heavy metal pollution include both natural and
anthropogenic factors
1. Natural source:- This includes natural event such as volcanic
eruption and weathring of rock/soil.
2. Anthropogenic Sources:- This includes human activities such as
pharmacy, industrial, agricultural, and mining activities. Domestic
effluents are also a significant source of heavy metal pollution.

4. EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION ON THE
ENVIRONMENT:
Heavy metals can stay in the environment for a longer time
due to which they can prove to be extremely dangerous for
the environment. Heavy metals in the concentration of parts
per billion can cause toxicity. Heavy metals pollution can
have negative impacts on the environment that are listed
below.
1.Water contamination:- Heavy metal pollution causes water
contamination/water pollution. This lead to degradation of water
quality/loss of water quality and water is not suitable for
drinking purpose.

5. 2.Groundwater pollution:-: Due to heavy rainfall the heavy
metals present in the solid waste can join the leachate and
may reach groundwater. The contamination of groundwater
with heavy metals poses negative threats to the ecosystem.
3.Soil Contamination:-Heavy metals contaminate soil leading to
soil pollution. Urban runoff or agriculture runoff containing
heavy metals can contaminate the surface water.
4.Air pollution:-Heavy metals are contaminating the air
due to fossil fuel combustion, industrial activities, etc. Air
contaminated with heavy metals has negative impacts on
the lungs.

6. 5.Marine Ecosystem:- Heavy metal pollution adversely impacts
the marine ecosystem. Bioaccumulation and biomagnifications
is one of the environmental issues associated with heavy
metal pollution. You may like to read Bioaccumulation and
Biomagnification of Toxic Chemicals.
6.Vegetation:-Heavy metals also negatively impact plant
growth cause plant diseases and death of plants due to
bioaccumulation.

7. EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION ON THE MARINE ANIMALS:
Heavy metal pollution can have detrimental health effects on
marine animals. Some fish species are sensitive to heavy
metals and cannot survive in water contaminated with heavy
metals. Heavy metals show effects on the developmental
stage of fish species. Check out Bioaccumulation of Heavy
Metals in Fish from Karachi Coast.
EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION ON THE ANIMALS:
Heavy metal pollution shows negative impacts on the animals.
The extent of damage is associated with exposure to heavy
metals. When heavy metals enter the animal body, they can
cause damage to the internal organs of an animal body.

8. EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION ON THE HUMANS:
Heavy metals pollution has dangerous effects on humans.
The effects could be chronic or acute. However, long-
term exposure to heavy metals leads to cancer. Heavy
metal pollution can cause severe damage to the lungs,
kidney, brain, and liver. Humans can suffer mental
disorders due to heavy metal pollution.

9. CONCLUSION:- Heavy metals are persistent in
nature and once they get in accumulated in the
environment, the damage caused by heavy metal
pollution is irreversible. Human activities are
degrading the environment. Due to its
bioaccumulative nature, heavy metals enter the food
chain and show deleterious effects on the ecosystem.
The groundwater is the most vulnerable to heavy
metal pollution and contaminated waterways affect
the living organisms.

10. Thank You
Think deeply on how
to have a wise
relationship with
NATURE.