201
chloride (CdCl 2 ). It also caused itai-itai (ouch-ouch) disease, associated with chronic
cadmium poisoning.
8.2.4 Lead (Pb)
Lead contamination can occur in groundwater due to different human activities,
including mining, smelting, leaded fuel spills, automotive emissions, incinerator
ash disposal, municipal landfill, and industrial leachates, and other products containing leads, such as lead paint, lead batteries, and dust. The behavior of lead in
water is affected by pH range. The lead binding with negatively charged organic
surfaces enhances profoundly above pH 5. The groups that are more susceptible to
lead toxicity are children and fetuses. It can cause serious nervous system illness. In
children, it can affect the development of the central nervous system, thus causing
irritability, headache, and hyperactivity. Additionally, it can cause learning and concentration difficulties (Kwikima and Lema 2017).
8.2.5 Chromium (Cr)
Chromium is found in aqueous media in two forms, i.e., chromium (III) oxide
(Cr 2 O 3 ) and chromium dioxide (CrO 2 ). Numerous chromium, particularly chromium (III) oxide, complexes are not water-soluble. The only water-soluble chromium compounds are chromium (III) oxide and hydroxide. The occurrence of most
prevailing Cr(III) form in water relies on pH. Cr does not involve in complex formation with anionic particulate matter due to its negative charge. Chromium is an
essential component of diet for many living organisms. This, however, only relates
to trichrome (trivalent chromium). Hexavalent chromium (chromium (VI)) is
extremely poisonous to plants, animals, and humans. Chromium (VI) is an abundant
ecological toxicant, posing a seriously harmful effect on public health. Various studies are conducted to analyze the health impacts of Cr(VI). It was found that chromium (VI) can cause mitochondrial damage and ultimately can lead toward cell
death (Zhong and Zhong 2017) (Fig. 8.3).
8.3 Heavy Metal Remediation Methods
In order to comply with the standards and to make water safe and contaminationfree, heavy metals should be removed. A number of extensive industrial researches
have been conducted for the safe elimination of pollutants and metallic elements
from industrial runoffs and unwanted species from water. As some metals are
expensive such as platinum and gold, so attempts have been made for recycling and
reusing them for large-scale usage.
8 Agricultural Waste Absorbents for Heavy Metal Removal
chloride (CdCl 2 ). It also caused itai-itai (ouch-ouch) disease, associated with chronic
cadmium poisoning.
8.2.4 Lead (Pb)
Lead contamination can occur in groundwater due to different human activities,
including mining, smelting, leaded fuel spills, automotive emissions, incinerator
ash disposal, municipal landfill, and industrial leachates, and other products containing leads, such as lead paint, lead batteries, and dust. The behavior of lead in
water is affected by pH range. The lead binding with negatively charged organic
surfaces enhances profoundly above pH 5. The groups that are more susceptible to
lead toxicity are children and fetuses. It can cause serious nervous system illness. In
children, it can affect the development of the central nervous system, thus causing
irritability, headache, and hyperactivity. Additionally, it can cause learning and concentration difficulties (Kwikima and Lema 2017).
8.2.5 Chromium (Cr)
Chromium is found in aqueous media in two forms, i.e., chromium (III) oxide
(Cr 2 O 3 ) and chromium dioxide (CrO 2 ). Numerous chromium, particularly chromium (III) oxide, complexes are not water-soluble. The only water-soluble chromium compounds are chromium (III) oxide and hydroxide. The occurrence of most
prevailing Cr(III) form in water relies on pH. Cr does not involve in complex formation with anionic particulate matter due to its negative charge. Chromium is an
essential component of diet for many living organisms. This, however, only relates
to trichrome (trivalent chromium). Hexavalent chromium (chromium (VI)) is
extremely poisonous to plants, animals, and humans. Chromium (VI) is an abundant
ecological toxicant, posing a seriously harmful effect on public health. Various studies are conducted to analyze the health impacts of Cr(VI). It was found that chromium (VI) can cause mitochondrial damage and ultimately can lead toward cell
death (Zhong and Zhong 2017) (Fig. 8.3).
8.3 Heavy Metal Remediation Methods
In order to comply with the standards and to make water safe and contaminationfree, heavy metals should be removed. A number of extensive industrial researches
have been conducted for the safe elimination of pollutants and metallic elements
from industrial runoffs and unwanted species from water. As some metals are
expensive such as platinum and gold, so attempts have been made for recycling and
reusing them for large-scale usage.
8 Agricultural Waste Absorbents for Heavy Metal Removal