Summary:
Human societies in contemporary industrial age produce a huge amount of
pollutants, a large number of whom, ends in the soil and in the water
receivers, with a consequent result the decrease of their quality. An indirect
consequence of pollution is the appearance of new, severe diseases to humans,
who either live or work in a polluted with heavy metals environment, or even
consume food: vegetables, fruits and fish, which contain a high concentration
of heavy metals in their tissues. This master thesis is regarding the effects
of these elements in the environment (soil, water, living organisms) as well as
their health effects to humans, so as every reader of the project can be
enlightened with the specific pollution that these elements cause under certain
circumstances.
As far as the structure of the thesis is concerned, it is combined of 3
chapters. In the first chapter, the characteristics and properties of heavy
metals are defined and afterwards their effects on soil, atmosphere, aquatic
environment and lastly on human health are examined.
The second chapter focuses on three heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury).
These heavy metals, that have concerned various branches of the academic
community (biologists, chemists, pathologists, nefrologists, agricultural-soil
scientistsand others) are examined here. In particular, the first part is
dealing with the problems that the high levels of lead cause in the ecosystems
and in humans. Then, likewise lead, are examined the problems of high levels of
cadmium and lastly of mercury, which is the most toxic element for humans and
animals.
The thesis is concluded with the major conclusions (chapter 3) that arose from
the project.
Keywords:
Heavy metals, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Environment
