Document Type : Review Paper
Authors
1
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram, Chennai 600089, Tamil Nadu, India. ORCID:
2
Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India
10.22059/poll.2025.401445.3089
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in soil and water has emerged as a pressing global concern due to its persistence, bioaccumulative potential, and severe ecotoxicological impacts. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding the sources, environmental fate, and remediation of heavy metals. Natural processes such as volcanic activity and weathering, coupled with anthropogenic drivers including mining, industrial discharge, agriculture, and urbanization, are identified as primary contributors to heavy metal pollution. The review examines transport mechanisms—sorption–desorption, redox transformations, colloid-facilitated migration, and interactions with micro- and nanoplastics—that govern heavy metal mobility and bioavailability across soil–water systems. Ecotoxicological assessments reveal profound disruptions in microbial communities, soil fertility, plant physiology, aquatic food webs, and higher trophic organisms through bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Remediation strategies are critically evaluated, spanning physical and chemical techniques, biological methods, plant–microbial consortia), and sustainable approaches. Emerging research emphasizes sustainable soil amendments, green nanotechnology, electrokinetic–PRB integration, and community-based monitoring. Collectively, this review underscores the urgent need for multidisciplinary, eco-friendly, and scalable remediation strategies to mitigate heavy metal pollution and safeguard ecosystem and human health
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