Metals anthropogenic effects

Table 6.8 summarize natural and anthropogenic riverine fluxes (Holland and Petersen 1995). Anthropogenic fluxes for many elements exceed natural fluxes. Examples include S, N (ammonia), P, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Sn, Mo, Cd, Hg, Au, and Pt group elements. Most of them are toxic and are derived from metal mines and industries to river water, while anthropogenic effect of Al, Ni and Mg is small. However, it has to be noted that not aU of anthropogenic elements move to river water. Concentrations of pollutant in river water are variable in place to place. When waste water from mines comes into river water, and mixes with river water, the precipitation of minerals, adsorption by iron hydroxides and clay minerals and uptake by organisms decrease their concentrations in river water. It is important to... 

Several studies indicate that different methods cause adverse effects to embryonic and fetal tissues and eventually lead to the development of teratogenic effects. Metals are omnipresent in the living environment. A variety of anthropogenic activities (e.g., smelting metallic ore, industrial and metal fabrication, commercial application, burning of fossil fuels) have caused adverse effects to the developing fetus. In fact, notorious elements, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury, have been associated with injury and malformation to the growing embryo and fetus of animals and humans.65... 

---