Resources and Chemical Structure of Heavy Metals in Soil and Its Effect on Human Health and the Environment

Soil is one of the most important components of the ecosystem, which is a suitable environment for storing nutrients and performing biological and chemical processes, and as a natural filter by storing and transporting pollutants, reduces their harmful effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the sources, chemical structure and health and environmental effects of some heavy metals in the soil.

The research method was theoretically and using library resources. First, the sources and then the structure and health and environmental effects of heavy metals in the soil were studied.

Results show that heavy metals, unlike organic pollutants, are immutable and non-biodegradable and have physiological effects on living organisms and thus are important in low concentrations. Heavy metals are formed naturally in the soil by pedogenic processes. Human factors such as the development of industrial areas, mining waste, use of chemical fertilizers, animal, pesticides, Sewage sludge and irrigation of agricultural lands with sewage, residues resulting from the burning of coal, petrochemical and atmospheric deposition can increase the concentration of these metals and cause soil contamination with heavy metals.

Soil plays a very important role in providing food for humans and other organisms, and its contamination by heavy metals can have irreversible effects. Adequate knowledge of the concentration, sources, chemical structure and potential health and environmental hazards of heavy metals is essential to prevent pollution and to select the appropriate method for soil remediation. Creating accessible resources for agricultural production and increasing food security is one of the goals of improving contaminated soils.