Heavy Metals in Aquatic Ecosystems: Sources, Transport, and Mitigation

Heavy metals are hazardous environmental pollutants and are becoming one of the most serious environmental problems because of their persistence, toxicity, non-biodegradability, and ability to be incorporated into the food chain. This book provides state-of-the-art techniques and technologies for the assessment and remediation of heavy metal ions from aquatic ecosystems. It discusses sources, fate, transport, health risk assessment, and remediation of heavy metals and the current methods for source identification and tracking, including the use of stable isotopes, fingerprinting techniques, and advancements in molecular biology for environmental monitoring. Features Provides state-of-the-art techniques and technologies for assessment and remediation of heavy metal ions from the aquatic ecosystem. Covers up-to-date information on heavy metals pollution in the freshwater ecosystems, rivers, and lakes. Discusses the hazardous impacts of heavy metals on various ecosystems including human health, and remediation technologies. Explains the toxicity of arsenic and mercury in the food and crop ecosystems. Offers in-depth exploration of recent technological advancements in environmental monitoring, especially in relation to toxic elements in aquatic ecosystems. This book serves as an excellent reference for both professionals and students and is the first of its kind to highlight the toxicity of heavy metals. Researchers, post-graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students in environmental science and engineering, soil and water sciences, biotechnology, and chemical engineering, as well as environmental and technical engineers, ecologists, and applied environmental scientists and managers, will benefit from the extensive coverage given in this book.