A Report On Heavy Metal Distribution

From the data given of the measured amounts of cadmium given at each stations along Cruddy Creek, there were extremely higher concentration levels, 430 mg/kg dry weight total of cadmium from stations F, G, and H, upstream in comparison to a total combined amount of 315mg/kg dry weight of cadmium from stations A, B, C, D, E, and the reference sites. Thus, the following locations have been identified as potential sources responsible for the distribution of cadmium into Cruddy Creek; Atlas Batteries, Metal Plater, and Pacific Coal & Electric power plant due to their relevant histories and proximities to the increased amounts of cadmium.

Underground mining involves large scale movements of rock and vegetation, which creates potential risks of land and tunnel collapse. Furthermore, this process of mining can release toxic compounds into surrounding water bodies. As the water takes on harmful concentrations, it can pollute the region surrounding the mine, as well as neighbouring water bodies. This can affect the growth of vegetation, animals and humans living in the surrounding areas. This form of mining also has high demand for water, which can deplete supplies in the surrounding region (Web.mit.edu, 2017). When copper is mined, toxic compounds are released into the air. The dust released during the mining of copper can release a variety of impurities associated with common health problems. Mining is also dependent on fossil fuels, which when released have harmful effects on the atmosphere (Web.mit.edu, 2017).

There has been an increased presence within the water of toxic chemicals, metals, and disease causing microorganisms throughout the years. In general, the main cause of water pollution is the sewage pipes as well as the factories which are slowly becoming more in control. Although the contamination of water has slowly began to be stopped there is still heavy contamination from the waterways from the farmlands which tend to carry fertilizers, pesticides, as well as organic matter. Rain is a major contributor to water contamination from the different acids and heavy metals which fall with the rain contribute to the water

Copper: Electroplating and metalworking industries discharge large amounts of heavy metals, including copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) ions, in their effluents [Ting-Chu et al. 2009]. Environmental contamination due to copper is caused by mining, printed circuits, metallurgical, fiber production, pipe corrosion and metal plating industries. The other major industries discharging copper in their effluents are paper and pulp, petroleum refining and wood preserving. Agricultural sources such as fertilizers, fungicidal sprays and animal wastes also lead to water pollution due to copper. Copper may be found as a contaminant in food, especially shell fish, liver, mushrooms, nuts and chocolates. Any packaging container using copper material may contaminate

Copper mines in mexico, gold and diamonds mines in South Africa increased wealth in the countries. The globe demanded these raw good so Mexico profited with copper from their mines, as well as south africa with their gold and diamonds mining. It increases productivity in the countries. Gold became important in developing economies. The workers that mine was treated in a negative way. The conditions where the worked and mined were dangerous.

In this lab an unknown metal cation is identified by comparing chemical reactions of known metal cations with different ions to chemical reactions of the unknown with those ions.Nine different metal cations are reacted with sulfate, iodide, carbonate, hydroxide, and ammoniaand observed. A procedure is then planned using the original tests to identify the unknown metalcation.

Toxic chemicals including heavy metals and radioactive wastes from different sources cause a serious pollution for underground water over the years. The main reason for underground water toxic chemical pollution is human activities such as chemical industries and mining. A given example for this case was

Copper deposits usually found along with other elements such as lead, silver, gold and zinc in Earth’s crust. Porphyry copper deposit is a large body of rock which a large amount of copper can be found. This deposit began when a large amount of molten rock slowly cooled and crystallizing inside the Erath’s crust. A large crystals was developed during the cooling process, along with the smaller size forming around them. This smaller rocks are porphyries. Initially, the molten rock contained small amount of copper, as the molten rocks cools and other minerals solidify, the copper in the fluids increase in concentration. As the process of crystallization made the rock shrink and formed cracks, the fluid containing copper run along those cracks

P. oceanica meadows are met in transparent and pure waters of Mediterranean area. The prevalence of Posidonia meadows in clear water is a useful tool for biomonitoring the clearness of the desired area. Along with Mytilus galloprovincialis, the Mediterranean mussel, Posidonia is a natural reservoir of different metals acquired from the environment. These metals are released from industrial, agricultural and urban activities in the coastal area and are one of the most persisting pollutants in the environment (Bethoux et al. 1990). Due to its sessile property, Posidonia is an ideal organism for biomonitoring. In a study conducted to compare the bioaccumulation level between M. galloprovincialis and P. oceanica, for cadmium, cobalt, chromium, nickel and lead, P. oceanica

There is greater awareness of the issues and hazards of the dumping of chemical waste and there are laws restricting the dumping of this waste. Since many individuals rely on groundwater for drinking water, many of them are drinking contaminated water. Due to this, there are many health risks including, hepatitis, poisoning and cancer when exposed to polluted water. As well, the wildlife can be harmed from the contaminated ground water.

Exposure to lead is more widespread than people may think because the most common source of lead exposure is through the environment. One example of this exposure is lead based paint that has been chipped away from the interior of a house. As the paint wears off over time, it will contaminate the dust in the house. Lead exposure is also frequently found in contaminated food and water, more often in impoverished areas. When exposed, lead usually enters the body when we inhale air, and then is completely absorbed throughout the entire respiratory tract. Lead can also enter through the bloodstream, and if it is not immediately excreted, it will be retained in the blood, soft tissues, bones, and teeth. Children are more likely to be at risk for

Chronic cadmium poisoning can result in nephrotoxicity, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, testicular necrosis, prostatic and testicular cancers, renal failure and neurodegenerative conditions (Yu et al., 2007). Moreover, it was reported that spermatogenesis is disturbed by free radical toxicity (Aruldhas et al., 2005) . It depletes many essential metal antioxidants including selenium in the body (Sato and Takizawa, 1982). Apparently, its exposure results in decreases of glutathione (GSH) levels which causes an increase in reactive oxygen species leading to increase in lipid peroxidation, change intercellular stability, damage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), membranes and consequently inducing cell death (Stohs et al., 2000). The metal accumulates in human body affecting negatively several organs: liver, kidney, lungs, bones, placenta, brain and central nervous system (Castro-González and Méndez-Armenta, 2008). Therefore, the maximum concentration limit for cadmium (II) ions in drinking water must be strictly regulated. The World Health Organization (WHO), set a maximum guideline concentration of 0.003 mg/L for cadmium (II) in drinking water (WHO, 2008). Hence, there is great interest regarding the removal of cadmium from wastewater streams.

Infections giving rise to cough, cold, fever and skin allergies are found to be common among the majority of the women and children of those living near the dumpsite. River bank, nearness of pond, village panchayats roads and waste land of the village are used as dumpsite. The adverse effects on the health of the families due to the contaminated drinking water sources, smog and pollution resulting from burning of waste, breeding of flies, insects and rodents because of unscientific and improper dumping of household solid waste with little medical facility and less health insurance coverage emphasizes on the requirement of the local bodies and the government to bring about stringent measures to enforce proper waste collection and service using the modern technology for proper household waste

Cadmium and cadmium compounds are, compared to other heavy metals, relatively water soluble and mobile compound in most soils, generally more bio- available and tends to bio- accumulate. It induces cell injury and death by interfering with calcium (Ca) regulation in biological system. Cadmium is not essential for plant or animal life (IPCS monographs/WHO1995a; WHO1995b). It is more mobile than zinc but less mobile than nickel. Cadmium is readily accumulated by many organisms, particularly by microorganism and mollusks where the bio-concentration factors are in the order of thousands. Its mobility essentially depends on the pH; the metal’s adsorption to the soil’s solid phase can be multiplied threefold for every unitary increase in pH in a range from 4 to 8. Terrestrial plants may accumulate cadmium in the roots and cadmium is found bound to the cell walls (AMAP 2002). The pH level is one of the most important factors controlling cadmium absorption. Compared with other micropolluants such as Cu or Pb, transfer of Cd to the above ground parts of the plant may be considered as

The next pollution will be water pollution. This pollution comes from factories, automobiles’’ exhausts and mines, which dump sewage directly into the water. Moreover, as an Agrarian country, the usage of pesticides for agriculture in India calls for water pollution too. Excessive usage of organic matter by farmers will also lead to the same consequent. As mentioned, deforestation will occur as population increase and the forests are stripped, soil erosion will happen and further cause sediments in water. Furthermore, people in India bathe in river for spiritual rejuvenate. However, as they warding off their sins in water, body wastes are excreted into the river as well, leading to river pollution. Religious