Certain five heavy metals viz. arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr)(VI), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) are non-threshold toxins and can exert toxic effects at very low concentrations. These heavy metals are known as most problematic heavy metals and as toxic heavy metals (THMs). Several industrial activities and some natural processes are responsible for their high contamination in the environment. In recent years, high concentrations of heavy metals in different natural systems including atmosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere have become a global issue. These THMs have severe deteriorating effects on various microorganisms, plants, and animals. Human exposure to the THMs may evoke serious health injuries and impairments in the body, and even certain extremities can cause death. In all these perspectives, this review provides a comprehensive account of the relative impact of the THMs As, Cd, Cr(VI), Hg, and Pb on our total environment.

The relative impact of toxic heavy metals (THMs) (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr)(VI), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)) on the total environment: an overview.

Removal of toxic cations and cr(vi) from aqueous solution by hazelnut shell

Small free-living amoebae (FLA) are the main predators controlling bacterial populations in soils. They are distributed in the rhizospheric zone and the surrounding bulk soil; however, they may spread deeper, reaching the vadose zone of groundwater systems, especially where bacterial populations get to high densities. Soil texture is the physical factor controlling the distribution of FLA because it determines the mean bore pore of soil aggregates and other important physical factors. FLA help maintain the high bacterial mineralization rate of organic matter through predation. As attachment onto a surface is necessary for feeding, the quantity of available surfaces is very important for developing this activity. However, the role of protozoa on plant growth promotion is still unclear because they may increase this effect by feeding on both fungi and bacteria. Small FLA are found in soils or sediments, as well as attached to suspended particulate matter in water columns, in the first 30 pm of water surface, or on the bodies of submerged animals and plants. These microor- ganisms do not distinguish between terrestrial or aquatic environments because they live in the interfaces between them. However, their importance in aquatic systems has been considered as negligible because they are outcompeted by free swimmers. The water conditions affecting amoebae survival are pH, temperature, concentration of sulfhydric acid and salinity. These factors have a strong influence on the structure of amoebae communities in aquatic environments. FLA are considered cosmopolitan as a group, and they live inside vertebrates, in soils, freshwater, marine waters, and on the aerial parts of plants and animals. These microbes, are spread by wind and water currents. Once in the air, cysts and trophozoites behave like any other suspended particulate matter. Therefore, suspension, transportation, and removal depend on atmospheric dynamics rather than on their own mechanisms. Ultraviolet light and drought are the main causes of losing viability, but much needs to be learned about the effects of air contaminants on amoebal survival. Naked amoebae also live in the phyllosphere as part of phylloplane community, but their importance and participation in this environment remain unknown. Some species belonging to the genera Acantharnoebae, Naegleria, and Balamuthia cause fatal diseases in humans and are carriers of other pathogens such as Legionella pneumophilia. However, FLA communities can be of some utility in sewage treatment works based in soil filters. %A's predatory activity in the root zone method may be of greater importance than previously thought, because this is their natural or more favorable environment. Research on the feeding behavior of FLA species, their rate of biomass transformation, and growth rate changes in response to environmental stresses are still needed in order to clarify their importance in both sewage system works and agricultural fields, where both bacteria and amoebae are involved.

Ecology of Free-Living Amoebae

Occurrence and fate of heavy metals in the wastewater treatment process

Of the variety of adsorbents available for the removal of heavy and toxic metals, activated carbon has been the most popular. A number of minerals, clays and waste materials have been regularly used for the removal of metallic pollutants from water and industrial effluents. Recently there has been emphasis on the application of nanoparticles and nanostructured materials as efficient and viable alternatives to activated carbon. Carbon nanotubes also have been proved effective alternatives for the removal of metallic pollutants from aqueous solutions. Because of their importance from an environmental viewpoint, special emphasis has been given to the removal of the metals Cr, Cd, Hg, Zn, As, and Cu. Separation of the used nanoparticles from aqueous solutions and the health aspects of the separated nanoparticles have also been discussed. A significant number of the latest articles have been critically scanned for the present review to give a vivid picture of these exotic materials for water remediation.

Nano‐adsorbents for the removal of metallic pollutants from water and wastewater

Toxic effect of heavy metals on the activated sludge protozoan community

Response of sOUR and AUR to heavy metal contamination in activated sludge

Comparative analysis of the activated sludge microfauna in several sewage treatment works

Numerous papers deal with the occurrence of heavy metals in the various components of freshwater ecosystems and sewage treatment systems. However, few papers refer to the presence and effect of heavy metals in populations of aquatic cilated protozoa. In particular, the lethal concentrations (LC50) of heavy metals in ciliate populations that colonize the activated sludge or the biofilm of waste treatment plants. Ciliated protozoa are very numerous in all types of aerobic biological-treatment systems. They play an important role in the purification process removing, through predation, the major part of dispersed bacteria that cause high turbidity in the final effluent. Changes in the community structure and types of ciliate species may affect the food web of these artifical ecosystems, and may also influence the biological performance of plants. Heavy metals can limit growth of protozoa in aquatic environments. The toxicity of heavy metals in biological treatment depends mainly upon two factors, namely, metal species and concentration. Although the resistance of biological systems to metal toxicity may be enhanced greatly by proper acclimatization, a too-high metal concentration may cause serious upsets in the system. It is important to determine the concentrations of heavy metals causing lethal effects on ciliates. Madoni recentlymore » studied the acute toxicity of cadmium, copper, mercury, and zinc on six species of ciliated protozoa from activated sludge plants. The present paper describes the toxic effects of lead and chromium (VI) on 6 cilate species. The acute toxicity of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn on two other ciliates (Drepanomonas revoluta and Spirostomum teres) is also reported. 18 refs., 4 tabs.« less

D. Davoli

Papers

Toxic effect of heavy metals on the activated sludge protozoan community

Response of sOUR and AUR to heavy metal contamination in activated sludge

Comparative analysis of the activated sludge microfauna in several sewage treatment works

Acute toxicity of lead, chromium, and other heavy metals to ciliates from activated sludge plants

Microfauna and filamentous microflora in biological filters for tap water production