biology, and cellular and molecular biology of these heavy metal(loid)s in soil-planthuman interaction (Rafiq et al. 2018; Shahid 2017; Shahid et al. 2018a, b; Shakoor
et al. 2019; Xiong et al. 2017).
Particulate matter has a high potential for adsorbing toxic heavy metal(loid)s and
making metal-PM complexes of various composition and sizes (Zhang et al. 2018a).
The presence of high levels of these metal-PMs in the atmosphere is confronting the
environmental quality and human/animal health worldwide (Uzu et al. 2011b; Xiong
et al. 2016a). Emission and presence of metal-PM in the atmosphere have gained
considerable attention as it has the capability to deteriorate atmospheric quality and
impacts human health (Ercilla-Montserrat et al. 2018; Jimoda 2012; Xiong et al.
2014b). Atmospheric contamination with these metal-PMs has increased considerably during the last two decades due to rapid urbanization, economic development,
and industrialization. The situation is highly worsening in regions with intense
industrial activity (Douay et al. 2008; Pruvot et al. 2006; Schreck et al. 2014; Uzu
et al. 2011b).
These metal-PMs involve substantial contamination of different ecosystem
compartments: soils, plants, surface waters, and animals including humans
(Donisa et al. 2000; Li et al. 2017b; Wu et al. 2017; Xiong et al. 2014a). The
potential of these metal-PMs to transport over long range along with high persistency has made the situation more complex and worsened. It is reported that metalPM can remain in the atmosphere for up to 30 days after their release from the source
(Tian et al. 2015). These metal-PMs can induce antagonistic effects on ecosystems
and human health many miles away from the source of origin (Dai et al. 2018;
Shahid et al. 2013).
Metal-PM can negatively affect human health via two major pathways including
the inhalation of atmospheric PM (Goix et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2018; Uzu et al.
2011b) or ingestion of the contaminated soil, dusts, or vegetables (Chuang et al.
2018; Guney et al. 2010; Xiong et al. 2014a). Especially in industrial areas, the
heavy metal(loid) concentrations in the atmosphere, soil, dust, water, and crop plant
tissues have been reported to be several times higher than their threshold levels
(Arshad et al. 2008; Ye et al. 2017). The size, composition, and shape of the PM
strongly affect their impact on both ecosystems (Schreck et al. 2012b; Uzu et al.
2011a, b) and human health (Schwartz and Neas 2000).
In the last decade, many studies focused on atmospheric contamination by
heavy metal(loid)s and associated health risks. A better understanding of sources,
emissions, fate, and associated health hazards can be a useful contribution to the
scientific literature. This review highlights the atmospheric contamination due to
metal-PM, their sources, speciation and transportation in the atmosphere, dry and
wet deposition on soil and plant, foliar uptake by plants, human inhalation, possible
human diseases, and the management strategies to control atmospheric
contamination.
Ecotoxicology of Heavy Metal(loid)-Enriched Particulate Matter: Foliar. . .
67
et al. 2019; Xiong et al. 2017).
Particulate matter has a high potential for adsorbing toxic heavy metal(loid)s and
making metal-PM complexes of various composition and sizes (Zhang et al. 2018a).
The presence of high levels of these metal-PMs in the atmosphere is confronting the
environmental quality and human/animal health worldwide (Uzu et al. 2011b; Xiong
et al. 2016a). Emission and presence of metal-PM in the atmosphere have gained
considerable attention as it has the capability to deteriorate atmospheric quality and
impacts human health (Ercilla-Montserrat et al. 2018; Jimoda 2012; Xiong et al.
2014b). Atmospheric contamination with these metal-PMs has increased considerably during the last two decades due to rapid urbanization, economic development,
and industrialization. The situation is highly worsening in regions with intense
industrial activity (Douay et al. 2008; Pruvot et al. 2006; Schreck et al. 2014; Uzu
et al. 2011b).
These metal-PMs involve substantial contamination of different ecosystem
compartments: soils, plants, surface waters, and animals including humans
(Donisa et al. 2000; Li et al. 2017b; Wu et al. 2017; Xiong et al. 2014a). The
potential of these metal-PMs to transport over long range along with high persistency has made the situation more complex and worsened. It is reported that metalPM can remain in the atmosphere for up to 30 days after their release from the source
(Tian et al. 2015). These metal-PMs can induce antagonistic effects on ecosystems
and human health many miles away from the source of origin (Dai et al. 2018;
Shahid et al. 2013).
Metal-PM can negatively affect human health via two major pathways including
the inhalation of atmospheric PM (Goix et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2018; Uzu et al.
2011b) or ingestion of the contaminated soil, dusts, or vegetables (Chuang et al.
2018; Guney et al. 2010; Xiong et al. 2014a). Especially in industrial areas, the
heavy metal(loid) concentrations in the atmosphere, soil, dust, water, and crop plant
tissues have been reported to be several times higher than their threshold levels
(Arshad et al. 2008; Ye et al. 2017). The size, composition, and shape of the PM
strongly affect their impact on both ecosystems (Schreck et al. 2012b; Uzu et al.
2011a, b) and human health (Schwartz and Neas 2000).
In the last decade, many studies focused on atmospheric contamination by
heavy metal(loid)s and associated health risks. A better understanding of sources,
emissions, fate, and associated health hazards can be a useful contribution to the
scientific literature. This review highlights the atmospheric contamination due to
metal-PM, their sources, speciation and transportation in the atmosphere, dry and
wet deposition on soil and plant, foliar uptake by plants, human inhalation, possible
human diseases, and the management strategies to control atmospheric
contamination.
Ecotoxicology of Heavy Metal(loid)-Enriched Particulate Matter: Foliar. . .
67