Sources of heavy metals and their distribution in the environment

Sources of Heavy Metals and Their Distribution in the Environment Global distribution of heavy metals in the biosphere is related to their technophility that is determined as the ratio of global annual exploration to their average concentrations in the Earth s core (Table 2). 

The value of technophility indices testifies to a higher actual and potential danger of such metals as Pb, Hg, and Cd in comparison with, let s say, Mn or Fe. These are also supported by registered changes in the global emissions of heavy metals into the atmosphere and oceans (Table 3). 

Element Natural anthropogenic P Natural weathering Municipal wastes 

F —mobilization factor as a ratio of anthropogenic emission into the atmosphere to the natural one 

Emissions of actually and potentially dangerous toxic elements may influence the human and ecosystem health on local, regional and global scales. Accumulation of toxic metals may be in soils, waters, bottom sediments and biota. For example, the accumulation of heavy metals in the upper layers of bottom sediments and glaciers occurring during the 20th century is shown in many recent studies. 

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