Heavy metal and metalloid contamination of surface and underground water : environmental, policy, and ethical issues

Heavy metal and metalloid contamination of groundwater and surface water ecosystems involves important policy-related and ethical issues besides its more well-known scientific aspects. Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contamination of Surface and Underground Water: Environmental, Policy, and Ethical Issues has brought these three dimensions under a single volume. The book presents an updated status of the nature and extent of heavy metal and metalloid contamination of water and discuss its future implications. In Section I, the book provides a state-of-the-art review of research findings on entry, storage, and release, human health risks, and the uptake and accumulation by freshwater biota and the toxic effects experienced by them. The book also provides information on the bioremediation of heavy metals and metalloids, and the possible effects of climate change on their distribution and toxicity. Section II of the book throws light on the policies and legislations adopted in several countries to deal with the vexed issue of metal contamination of waters in both historical and current perspectives. Special emphasis has been given to the contamination of drinking water and its attendant implications for human health. The book also treats the relevance and applications of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which forms the backbone of the water policies of several countries. In Section III, discussions focus on ethical issues rising out of heavy metal and metalloid contamination of water, and on the different ethical approaches and principles in both indigenous and other societies. Features: A systematic overview of the major facets of heavy metal and metalloid contamination of water Compilation and analysis of the latest research in the subject area Ample case studies in all chapters that highlight specific problems Review of policy and legislation for the control of heavy metal pollution of water Water ethics in indigenous societies This book will be a vital resource for students and research scholars in the field of environmental science, ecotoxicology, and pollution studies. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments Author Section I Environmental Issues Chapter 1 Heavy Metals: Definition and Properties Metals, Metalloids, and Non-Metals “Heavy Metal”—a Debated Term Heavy Metals or “Class B” Metals? Heavy Metals—Geochemical Bogey Men? Heavy Metals—Appropriate for Music, Not for Science Heavy Metals and Biological Systems An Unending Debate Heavy Metal—A Popular Term A Conciliatory and Consistent Definition of Heavy Metals Heavy Metals and Metalloids in This Book Properties and Major Uses of Heavy Metals Bismuth Cadmium Chromium Copper Iron Lead Manganese Mercury Molybdenum Nickel Silver Tin Vanadium Zinc Elements Classified as Metalloids Properties and Major Uses of Metalloids Antimony Arsenic Boron Germanium Silicon Tellurium Occurrence and Distribution of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in the Earth’s Crust Essential and Non-Essential Heavy Metals and Metalloids Chapter 2 Geogenic Occurrence of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Surface and Underground Water Geogenic Occurrence of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Surface Water General Considerations Heavy Metals and Metalloids from Weathering of Black Shale and Acid Sulfate Soils Geogenic Heavy Metals/Metalloids in Surface Waters in Other Areas Role of Sediments in Heavy Metal and Metalloid Storage and Mobilization Geogenic Inputs of Heavy Metals and Metalloids into Sediments Geogenic Arsenic in Surface Waters Geogenic Occurrence of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Groundwater Geogenic Arsenic in Groundwater Arsenic in Groundwater and Its Mobilization Mechanism of Arsenic Mobilization Contamination of “Deep” Aquifers Geogenic Arsenic in Other Parts of the World Geogenic Occurrence of Heavy Metals in Groundwater Chapter 3 Anthropogenic Contributions of Heavy Metals and Metalloids to Surface and Underground Water Anthropogenic Contributions of Heavy Metals and Metalloids to Surface Water The Growing Threat of Anthropogenic Inputs of Heavy Metals and Metalloids Contamination of Surface Water from Black Shale and Acid Rock Drainage Heavy Metal Contamination of Snow Contamination of Surface Water from Active and Abandoned Mines Heavy Metals and Metalloids from Other Sources Sediment as a Repository of Heavy Metals in Freshwater Ecosystems: Retention and Release Anthropogenic Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Sediments Anthropogenic Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Groundwater Black Shales Mining Other Sources Chapter 4 Public Health Issues Emanating from Heavy Metal Contamination of Freshwater Ecosystems and Groundwater Effects of Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contamination of Water on Public Health General Considerations Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Zinc Human Health Risks from Water Contaminated by Multiple Heavy Metals and Metalloids Human Health Risks in Black Shale and Acid Sulfate Soil Areas Human Health Risks in Mining Areas Human Health Risks in Industrial Areas Chapter 5 Effects of Heavy Metals and Metalloids on Freshwater Communities Microbial Communities Phytoplankton, Periphyton, and Zooplankton Communities Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities Benthic Invertebrates as Biomonitors of Heavy Metal Pollution Toxicity Tests Vis-à-Vis Field Data Effects on Macroinvertebrate Communities in Mining and Naturally Metal-Rich Areas Fish Communities Effects of Active and Abandoned Mines on Freshwater Communities Heavy Metal Industries Chapter 6 Responses of Freshwater Biota to Heavy Metal and Metalloid Exposure Acute Toxicity Cadmium Chromium Copper Iron, Lead, and Manganese Mercury Nickel Silver, Uranium, and Zinc Mechanism of Heavy Metal Toxicity Chronic (Sublethal) Toxicity Sublethal Effects Effects of Heavy Metals on Plankton and Periphyton Entry of Heavy Metals into Algal Cells Effects of Heavy Metals on Aquatic Plants Effects on Freshwater Invertebrates Antioxidant Responses in Fish to Heavy Metal Exposure Histopathological Effects in Fish Genotoxic Effects Effects of Heavy Metal Load in Sediments Effects of Metal-Contaminated Sediment Ingestion in Aquatic Birds Chapter 7 Accumulation of Heavy Metals by Freshwater Biota Heavy Metal Accumulation by Different Groups of Freshwater Biota Heavy Metal Hyperaccumulation in Plants Accumulation of Heavy Metals by Aquatic Macrophytes Arsenic Accumulation by Aquatic Macrophytes Invasive Species and Heavy Metal/Metalloid Accumulation Heavy Metal/Metalloid Accumulation by Algae and Microorganisms Heavy Metal and Metalloid Accumulation in Different Levels of Consumers Freshwater Invertebrates Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Freshwater Food Chains Chapter 8 Remediation of Heavy Metals by Biota Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal- and Metalloid-Contaminated Water Removal of Arsenic and Other Metalloids by Phytoremediation Removal of Heavy Metals by Phytoremediation Heavy Metal Removal by Algae Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Uptake Wetlands in Heavy Metal Remediation Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Constructed Wetlands Role of Plants in Constructed Wetlands Microbial Bioremediation Chapter 9 Effects of Climate Change on Heavy Metals and Their Toxicity on Freshwater Organisms Effects of Climate Change on Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Freshwater Qualitative Effects of Climate Change on Freshwater Resources Heavy Metal Release in High-Altitude Areas Heavy Metal Release in Peatland Wetlands Section II Policy Issues Chapter 10 Water Policy and Legal Framework Vis-à-Vis Heavy Metal Contamination Historical Perspective Europe and UK USA Canada Australia Chapter 11 Policy and Legal Framework for Water Pollution with Special Reference to Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Different Parts of the World Laws on Water Pollution in the USA Lead in Drinking Water Europe Canada Australia Brazil South Africa Eritrea China India Chapter 12 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Its Implications in Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contamination of Water Introduction to IWRM Application and Relevance of IWRM in the Context of Heavy Metal Contamination Section III Ethical Issues Chapter 13 Ethical Approaches towards Environmental Issues Ethics: A Brief Historical Perspective Environmental Ethics Principles Chapter 14 Water Ethics in Indigenous Societies Indigenous vs Western Perceptions of Water Indigenous Water Ethics in Australia Indigenous Water Ethics in Canada Indigenous Water Ethics in Other Parts of the World Chapter 15 Ethical Issues in Heavy Metal Contamination of Surface Water and Groundwater The Outlines of an Ethical Framework for Heavy Metal and Metalloid Pollution of Water Ethical Measures in Industry Other Measures The Nature of Water Ethics References Index