This is the sphere where you find living organisms (plants and animals) interacting with each and their nonliving environment (soil, air and water). The most important sphere of the environment is the biosphere because it harbours the living organisms. It is also characterised by a number of spheres that influence its behaviour and intrinsic value. These are made up of: the land, the water and the atmosphere of the earth microorganisms, plant and animal life any part or combination of the first two items on this list and the interrelationships among and between them and the physical, chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that influence human health and well-being. A case study in South Africa mines were also used.Įnvironment can be referred to the surroundings within which humans exist. This chapter summarises the problems related to heavy metal pollution and various remediation technologies. Developed physical and chemical heavy metal remediation technologies are demanding costs which are not feasible, time-consuming, and release additional waste to the environment. Remediation of heavy metals requires special attention to protect soil quality, air quality, water quality, human health, animal health, and all spheres as a collection.
This occurs due to bioaccumulation in the food chains as a result of the nondegradable state of the heavy metals. This leads to the environment’s ability to foster life being reduced as human, animal, and plant health become threatened. Heavy metals are known to be naturally occurring compounds, but anthropogenic activities introduce them in large quantities in different environmental compartments. This has compromised the ability of the environment to foster life and render its intrinsic values. The environment and its compartments have been severely polluted by heavy metals.
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