What is the relationship between heavy metals lead and cadmium in soil with food security?
The relationship between soil heavy metals and food security is a critical concern, as heavy metal contamination in soils can have significant implications for agricultural productivity and the safety of the food supply. Heavy metals are natural elements that occur in the Earth's crust, but human activities such as mining, industrial processes, and the use of certain agricultural inputs can lead to their accumulation in soils at elevated levels.
Here are some ways in which soil heavy metals can impact food security:
To address the relationship between soil heavy metals and food security, it is essential to implement measures to prevent and mitigate heavy metal contamination:
By addressing soil heavy metal contamination and adopting sustainable practices, we can work towards ensuring a safe and secure food supply while protecting the environment and human health.
Hello
Thank you very much for your reply
Please also send the reference of the content
Thanks
These books should still provide valuable insights into the subject:
These books should provide you with a solid understanding of the relationship between heavy metals in soil and food security.
Hashem Aram
Gaurav H Tandon
Very good answers from Gaurav H Tandon
Gaurav H Tandon
Hashem Aram
How can you contain or extract heavy metal pollution in soils and water?
Is biochar efficient?
Controlling and extracting heavy metal pollution in soils and water is crucial for environmental protection and human health. Several methods can be employed, and one of the potential solutions is the use of biochar.
Let's explore both aspects:
a. Physical methods:
- Excavation and removal: In some cases, contaminated soil can be excavated and disposed of at a designated hazardous waste site.
- Capping: Contaminated soil can be covered with a barrier (such as clay or synthetic materials) to prevent further spread of pollutants.
b. Chemical methods:
- Soil washing: Chemical solutions can be used to wash and leach out the heavy metals from the soil, making them easier to extract.
- Chemical immobilization: Adding specific amendments to the soil, like lime or phosphate, can reduce the mobility of heavy metals, making them less accessible to plants and less likely to leach into groundwater.
c. Phytoremediation:
- Using certain plants that can accumulate heavy metals from the soil (hyperaccumulators) to extract and concentrate the metals in their biomass. The plants can then be harvested and properly disposed of, removing the contaminants from the area.
d. Bioremediation:
- Employing microorganisms or bacteria that can metabolize or bind with heavy metals, thereby reducing their concentration in the soil or water.
Biochar is a type of charcoal produced from the pyrolysis of organic materials (e.g., agricultural waste, wood chips). It has a high surface area and can adsorb heavy metals and other contaminants. Biochar can be used in both soil and water remediation, and its efficiency depends on several factors:
- Feedstock: The type of organic material used to produce biochar affects its adsorption capacity. Some feedstocks have a higher affinity for certain heavy metals.
- Activation: Biochar can be activated by various methods to increase its porosity and enhance its adsorption capabilities.
- Contact time: The longer the contact time between biochar and the polluted medium, the more efficient the removal process.
- pH: The pH of the soil or water can influence the adsorption of heavy metals onto biochar.
While biochar shows promise in certain scenarios, its efficiency may vary based on the specific heavy metal contaminants, soil or water conditions, and biochar properties. Therefore, it is essential to conduct site-specific studies and tests to determine the effectiveness of biochar in a particular location.
Due to its functional groups and special surface, biochar can absorb some heavy metals in water and soil
You should search US EPA for heavy metal standards, they are country specific, you can also contact local environmental agency for region specific guidelines, In India we have BIS providing guidelines and permissible limits
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What-is-the-permissible-limit-of-heavy-metals-in-soil-and-water-as-per-EPA-or-WHO-guidelines
https://esdat.net/environmental-standards/
https://www.omicsonline.org/articles-images/2161-0525-5-334-t011.html
- Badges
- Science topic