Heavy Metal Contamination in the Coastal Environment and Trace Level Identification

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in the coastal environment is a great concern as its adverse effects on marine health. Heavy metals are a group of persistent organic pollutants and last for years in the environment. Due to their widespread distribution, high hydrophobicity, prolonged persistence, and negative effects on the environment and human health, these chemicals have raised attention. Due to a lack of research and advanced detection techniques, heavy metal pollution in coastal areas of some Asian countries is critical. Scientists have developed several methods for detecting heavy metals in the environment, including atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma massspectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical or UV-Vis-detectors. However, a newly optimized, sensitive, cost-effective, and precise technology for detecting heavy metals at ultra-trace levels is solid phase micro-extraction and gas chromatography mass-spectrometry. As a result, the book chapter will describe the theoretical, practical approach, and modern technology for detecting and quantifying heavy metal contaminations in the marine ecosystem, including the effects of heavy metals on the marine animals, human and environmental health, and challenges and future perspectives of heavy metal degradation using a green approach, as well, the effects of heavy metals on the marine animal, human, and environmental health.