Introduction of heavy metals contamination in the water and soil: a review on source, toxicity and remediation methods

Heavy metal contamination in water and soil presents a growing global issue that poses significant risks to environmental integrity and human well-being. Various heavy metals, including arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr), contaminate ecosystems. These metals enter the environment through both natural processes and human activities such as coal mining, leather production, metal processing, agriculture, and industrial waste disposal. With their high toxicity and tendency to accumulate in organisms, heavy metals induce oxidative stress in cells, resulting in organelle damage. This toxicity can lead to genetic mutations and histone alterations. Given the severe effects of heavy…