Effects of Heavy Metals and Metalloids on Soil Organisms

摘要: At the molecular level metals and metalloids cause organisms to produce chemicals such as metallothioneins bind reduce their toxicity and/or heat shock proteins that repair any damage done. On a cellular scale metal-rich P S “granules” are often produced, particularly in cells line digestive organs, which concentrate detoxify contaminants. Granules either accumulate or excreted. If accumulate, location of accumulation varies between species though is an organ analogous liver at sites shed during moulting. Countless studies document effects on weight, reproduction mortality organisms. Variation results due complex combination contaminant bioavailability, uptake pathways, exposure duration soil properties. field metal metalloid contaminants usually result population decline toxic effects/loss prey growth removal predators competition. Populations different affected ways, modifying community structure ecosystems. Organisms found contaminated soils naive introduced individuals same can not survive exhibit acclimation/tolerance (reversible changes physiology) adaptation/resistance (a change genetic structure). A large number tests exist investigate demonstrate impact Omic technologies offer great potential help develop our understanding these but yet mature technology.