An Overview of Heavy Metal Pollution and Control
Omar Dagdag, Taiwo W. Quadri, Rajesh Haldhar, Seong‐Cheol Kim, Walid Daoudi, Elyor Berdimurodov, Ekemini D. Akpan, Eno E. Ebenso
Abstract
Metal pollution is a serious environmental issue triggered by the release of heavy metal ions into the natural environment. Human activities such as metal mining, agriculture, and industrial processes have contributed significantly to the increase of metal pollution in the soil, water and air. Metal pollution poses grave dangers to human health, ecosystem functioning and the global environment. To control metal pollution, several strategies have been developed, comprising physical, biological and chemical methods. These remediation methods aim to reduce the concentration of metals in the environment, prevent further pollution, and restore degraded ecosystems. The goal of this chapter is to provide insight into the sources, properties and impacts of heavy metal pollution. Additionally, various identified techniques for controlling heavy metal pollution in the environment are briefly discussed, along with their advantages and limitations.