Environmental effects of heavy metals in soil

Environment plays a vital role in the life of all living organisms present on Earth. A healthy environment is necessary for the survival of living beings. Soil is one of the most important part of our environment. It acts as a growth medium for producers so it is the base of our food chain. It also provides a best sink for all pollution causing agents. Heavy metals are the non-degradable pollution causing agents. This book provides information on heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and Fe), their industrial uses, sources in soil and their toxic effects. Chapter 1 provides the information about soil and the technique used for the determination of heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and well as the literature review of the previously reported results. Chapter 2 gives information on experiment. Results and discussions have been described in chapter 3. Soil samples, from surface and depth, from different sites of Lahore were collected and analyzed for heavy metals. Concentration of Fe was found highest in all soil samples while the level of Cd was found lowest. Levels of Pb, Cu and Cr were found to be highest in high traffic density areas as compared to residential areas.