Environmental Impact of Heavy Metals

Abstract

Heavy metals cause toxicity in biological systems by bonding to Sulfhydryl groups and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many international organizations established a standard regarding the presence of heavy metals in the environment, food, and drinking water as a result of numerous harmful effects on humans and animals observed. This study aimed to determine the level of heavy metal concentrations and water quality in the Romi River, where some heavy metals concentrations (Iron 0.89 mg/L and Nickel 0.36 mg/L) exceeded the WHO maximum standard limits (Nickel 0.02 mg/L and 0.030 mg/L). The mean concentrations of the metal’s chromium, iron, nickel, and zinc with standard deviation were found to be: 0.100.1 mg/L, 0.890.1 mg/L, 0.060.1 mg/L, and 0.200.1 mg/L, respectively. This study revealed that the contamination occurs as a results of effluents release into the river thereby causing many harmful effect to the community around them.