Essay on Mobility of Heavy Metals in Different Soils
Metals whose densities exceed 6 g cm are usually referred to as heavy metals. Some (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Sn, V, W, Zn) of these are essential for life processes whereas others (Cd, Pb, Hg) have no known useful biological role; all of them are injurious to living organisms at higher concentrations.Davies et al. (1987) have studied the relationships between leaf and soil concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, using radish (Raphanus sativus) as the experimental plant which was grown on 46 garden soils. These soils were characterized by varying degrees of metal contamination. In some pots of contaminated soil, they added lime to modify soil pH.Liming was found to greatly reduce foliar Zn concentrations. The pH effect appears to be exercised through a modification of the…