139
Warnst., lowering of pH not only reduces the extracellular binding of Cd, but it also
affects its intracellular uptake. While the first could be due to the protonation and
occupation of the available extracellular anionic binding sites, the second could be
a result of the proton-induced conformational changes of transporting proteins in
the bryophyte membranes. Thus, the type (soil, air, or water) and chemical composition of the media and its acidity are probably the most important factors determining
which metal and what amount of it is going to be accumulated by different bryophyte species (Stankovic et al. 2018).
Sources of heavy metals can be of anthropogenic origin and contribute to their
spread to rural areas and agricultural land (metal processing industry, electroplating
industry, ore smelters, as well as burning of fossil fuels, landfills of urban and industrial waste, sewage sludge). Toxic metals can contaminate agricultural land in the
process of fertilization with sewage sludge (Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn), as well as the use
of phosphate and organic fertilizers (Cd, Cr, Mo, Pb, U, V, Zn, etc.) and pesticides
(Cu, As, Pb) which is why the application of these agents must be under strict control, because heavy metals are found in them as impurities (Bourennane et al. 2010).
Soil treated with such agents in agricultural regions is subjected to monitoring for
potentially hazardous metal inputs.
5.2.3 Toxic Metal Accumulation in Bryophyte
Heavy metals are transition metals with a density over 5 g/L and show marked environmental toxicity. In the environment, they are found in air, water, food, and soil.
Certain heavy metals, such as iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, and manganese, are necessary for numerous functions and normal growth and development of living organisms and are labeled as essential (Martin and Coughtrey 1982). However, the
accumulation of non-essential minerals (such as heavy metals: cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury) in living organisms can result in reduced normal growth and development, acute poisoning, physiological changes, and even death. Their origin can be
natural (geochemical) and anthropogenic (Ajmone-Marsan et al. 2008). Rock
decomposition occurs through the process of pedogenesis, and hydration, hydrolysis, dissolution, oxidation, or reduction releases heavy metals from the parent substrate. A part of heavy metals in the soil is formed as a result of geochemical
processes, but also volcanic eruptions and continental dust dispersal. In the form of
dust particles, they reach the atmosphere and settle in water and soil. Heavy metals
precipitate as sparingly soluble carbonates, sulfates, or sulfides, and their toxicity is
increased by the process of chelation and formation sulfides with biologically active
substances (especially with enzymes) in a process termed biomethylation (Fordyce
et al. 2005).
Heavy metals have become one of the main abiotic factors with a negative effect
on living organisms. By consuming, plants play a significant role in the circulation
of toxic metals because they enter the food chain and thus negatively affect human
health. The accumulation and availability of toxic metals are especially influenced
5 Proposing Chemometric Tool for Efficacy Surface Dust Deposition Tracking…
Warnst., lowering of pH not only reduces the extracellular binding of Cd, but it also
affects its intracellular uptake. While the first could be due to the protonation and
occupation of the available extracellular anionic binding sites, the second could be
a result of the proton-induced conformational changes of transporting proteins in
the bryophyte membranes. Thus, the type (soil, air, or water) and chemical composition of the media and its acidity are probably the most important factors determining
which metal and what amount of it is going to be accumulated by different bryophyte species (Stankovic et al. 2018).
Sources of heavy metals can be of anthropogenic origin and contribute to their
spread to rural areas and agricultural land (metal processing industry, electroplating
industry, ore smelters, as well as burning of fossil fuels, landfills of urban and industrial waste, sewage sludge). Toxic metals can contaminate agricultural land in the
process of fertilization with sewage sludge (Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn), as well as the use
of phosphate and organic fertilizers (Cd, Cr, Mo, Pb, U, V, Zn, etc.) and pesticides
(Cu, As, Pb) which is why the application of these agents must be under strict control, because heavy metals are found in them as impurities (Bourennane et al. 2010).
Soil treated with such agents in agricultural regions is subjected to monitoring for
potentially hazardous metal inputs.
5.2.3 Toxic Metal Accumulation in Bryophyte
Heavy metals are transition metals with a density over 5 g/L and show marked environmental toxicity. In the environment, they are found in air, water, food, and soil.
Certain heavy metals, such as iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, and manganese, are necessary for numerous functions and normal growth and development of living organisms and are labeled as essential (Martin and Coughtrey 1982). However, the
accumulation of non-essential minerals (such as heavy metals: cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury) in living organisms can result in reduced normal growth and development, acute poisoning, physiological changes, and even death. Their origin can be
natural (geochemical) and anthropogenic (Ajmone-Marsan et al. 2008). Rock
decomposition occurs through the process of pedogenesis, and hydration, hydrolysis, dissolution, oxidation, or reduction releases heavy metals from the parent substrate. A part of heavy metals in the soil is formed as a result of geochemical
processes, but also volcanic eruptions and continental dust dispersal. In the form of
dust particles, they reach the atmosphere and settle in water and soil. Heavy metals
precipitate as sparingly soluble carbonates, sulfates, or sulfides, and their toxicity is
increased by the process of chelation and formation sulfides with biologically active
substances (especially with enzymes) in a process termed biomethylation (Fordyce
et al. 2005).
Heavy metals have become one of the main abiotic factors with a negative effect
on living organisms. By consuming, plants play a significant role in the circulation
of toxic metals because they enter the food chain and thus negatively affect human
health. The accumulation and availability of toxic metals are especially influenced
5 Proposing Chemometric Tool for Efficacy Surface Dust Deposition Tracking…