Abstract

Heavy metals are the term generally used for metals that have a density greater than 5kg/dm³ and are generally toxic, their residues causing environmental pollution. Metals are considered important toxic pollutants that enter biogeochemical cycles and accumulate in natural and artificial ecosystems. Metals are continuously released into the biosphere by volcanic eruptions, natural weathering of rocks, but also by numerous anthropogenic activities, such as mining, fossil fuel combustion, industrial and urban wastewater, and agricultural practices. On a global scale, there is now evidence that anthropogenic activities have polluted the environment with heavy metals from the poles to the tropics and from mountains to the depths of the oceans.

Keywords:Heavy metals; Toxic pollutants; Metal bioavailability; Magnitude of the biomarker response