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The relative impact of toxic heavy metals (THMs) (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr)(VI), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)) on the total environment: an overview

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Abstract

Certain five heavy metals viz. arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr)(VI), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) are non-threshold toxins and can exert toxic effects at very low concentrations. These heavy metals are known as most problematic heavy metals and as toxic heavy metals (THMs). Several industrial activities and some natural processes are responsible for their high contamination in the environment. In recent years, high concentrations of heavy metals in different natural systems including atmosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere have become a global issue. These THMs have severe deteriorating effects on various microorganisms, plants, and animals. Human exposure to the THMs may evoke serious health injuries and impairments in the body, and even certain extremities can cause death. In all these perspectives, this review provides a comprehensive account of the relative impact of the THMs As, Cd, Cr(VI), Hg, and Pb on our total environment.

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Acknowledgements

ZR is thankful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for the award of JRF and SRF.

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This work was financially supported by the R&D grant, University of Delhi.

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  1. Department of Botany, Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110002, India

    Zeeshanur Rahman

  2. Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India

    Ved Pal Singh

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Appendix

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Table 3 Characteristics of THMs (physical properties and their maximum permissible limits in different natural systems)
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Rahman, Z., Singh, V.P. The relative impact of toxic heavy metals (THMs) (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr)(VI), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)) on the total environment: an overview. Environ Monit Assess 191, 419 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7528-7

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