Water Quality Degradation Due to Heavy Metal Contamination: Health Impacts and Eco-Friendly Approaches for Heavy Metal Remediation

Abstract

Water quality depends on its physicochemical and biological parameters. Changes in parameters such as pH, temperature, and essential and non-essential trace metals in water can render it unfit for human use. Moreover, the characteristics of the local environment, geological processes, geochemistry, and hydrological properties of water sources also affect water quality. Generally, groundwater is utilized for drinking purposes all over the globe. The surface is also utilized for human use and industrial purposes. There are several natural and anthropogenic activities responsible for the heavy metal contamination of water. Industrial sources, including coal washery, steel industry, food processing industry, plastic processing, metallic work, leather tanning, etc., are responsible for heavy metal contamination in water. Domestic and agricultural waste is also responsible for hazardous metallic contamination in water. Contaminated water with heavy metal ions like Cr (VI), Cd (II), Pb (II), As (V and III), Hg (II), Ni (II), and Cu (II) is responsible for several health issues in humans, like liver failure, kidney damage, gastric and skin cancer, mental disorders and harmful effects on the reproductive system. Hence, the evaluation of heavy metal contamination in water and its removal is needed. There are several physicochemical methods that are available for the removal of heavy metals from water, but these methods are expensive and generate large amounts of secondary pollutants. Biological methods are considered cost-effective and eco-friendly methods for the remediation of metallic contaminants from water. In this review, we focused on water contamination with toxic heavy metals and their toxicity and eco-friendly bioremediation approaches.

Assessment of water quality in the Oued Kert (Eastern Rif, Morocco): Physicochemical analyses and heavy metals

“…The concentrations of Mn downstream are higher than those recorded upstream [13]. Geological processes, geochemistry, and hydrological properties of water sources also affect water quality [24]. These levels of manganese in S4 and S5 are probably linked to natural processes such as soil erosion and mineral dissolution in drainage areas.…”

Assessing heavy metal and physiochemical pollution load of Danro River and its management using floating bed remediation

“…Measures were taken to prevent contamination and enhance the confidence of data for bias and variability. All apparatus and glassware were washed for 24 h with 10% HCl and rinsed twice with double-deionized water 72 . The chemical solutions were prepared from Merck-GR grade chemicals and reagents using double-deionized water.…”

Transition metal doped ZIF‐8 for the detection of the heavy metal Hg(II)

“…Once organisms absorb high concentrations of heavy metals, irreversible poisoning occurs immediately. Heavy metal ions will not only limit their growth and development, but also lead to increased cytotoxicity and affect the physiological metabolism of organisms [6].…”