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HUMAN DISRUPTIONS ON

HEAVY METAL CYCLES

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CADMIUM

Human activities significantly influence theglobal cycle of cadmium. In 2004, anestimated 18,800 tonnes of cadmium were

extracted by humans from the Earth's crustand brought into circulation in the society.Besides this, a significant amount ofcadmium ended up in metal extraction

residues or was mobilized as an impurityduring the extraction and use of otherminerals like coal and lime.

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CADMIUM

Various human activities (such as mining, metalproduction, combustion of fossil fuels and otherindustrial processes) have resulted, however, inelevated cadmium concentrations in the environment.

For example, cadmium deposition in the 1960s and1970s in the Greenland ice core was eight timeshigher than in pre-industrial times. These datasuggest that industrial emissions have been more

important as a source of deposition in Greenlandand perhaps other Arctic areas than naturalemissions. Recent data indicate that cadmiumdeposition levels have steady declined since the1970s.

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CADMIUM

Current anthropogenic (associated withhuman activity) releases from themobilization of cadmium impurities in rawmaterials such as phosphate minerals, fossil

fuels and other extracted, treated andrecycled materials - particularly zinc andcopper.

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LEAD

Excessive mining of large corporations for Lead It does occur in nature but it is rare.

Lead is usually found in or with zinc, silver andcopper

Production and consumption is increasing worldwidesometimes there is lack of lands for mining.Restricted lands are implemented in other countries.

Might run out in 42 years

Extrapolation of lead this will run out in 18 years

Interest in recycling and rapid progress of fuel celltechnology.

Lead pollution is produced through human productionsuch as in car engines being burned => lead salts

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MERCURY

Mercury enters the environment as a resultof normal breakdown of minerals in rocksand soil through exposure to wind and water.Release of mercury from natural sources has

remained fairly the same over the years. Stillmercury concentrations in the environmentare increasing; this is ascribed to humanactivity. Most of the mercury released fromhuman activities is released into air, throughfossil fuel combustion, mining, smelting andsolid waste combustion.

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MERCURY

Some forms of human activity releasemercury directly into soil or water, for

instance the application of agricultural

fertilizers and industrial wastewater disposal.All mercury that is released in the

environment will eventually end up in soils or

surface waters.

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ORE

There are many problems with mining metalores, such as pollution to the surroundingenvironment. Mining often means cutting downlarge areas of land so they make the ores a lotmore accessible. When they have cleared the

existing area of land of all the ore then theyleave the holes in the ground uncovered whichcauses many problems. The land could alsocollapse. Thus, organizations, agencies and the

government limits the use of land for mining.

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HEAVY METAL CYCLE DISRUPTIONS

ON HUMANS

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CADMIUM

Cadmium is a typical example of a cumulativepoison. Prolonged increased uptake ofcadmium interferes with the function of thekidneys. Bone tissue is affected too as

cadmium disturbs the metabolism of calcium. Exposure to cadmium may lead to acute

intoxication, lost of sense of smell (anosmia)

and itai-itai disease. The primary adverse health effects which

have been observed are lung cancer andkidney damage.

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LEAD

Disruption of the biosynthesis of hemoglobin and anemia A rise in blood pressure

Kidney damage

Miscarriages and subtle abortions

Disruption of nervous systems Brain damage

Declined fertility of men through sperm damage

Diminished learning abilities of children

Behavioral disruptions of children, such as aggression,impulsive behavior and hyperactivity

It can enter a fetus through the placenta of the mother.Because of this it can cause serious damage to thenervous system and the brains of unborn children.

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MERCURY Disruption of the nervous system

Damage to brain functions DNA damage and chromosomal damage

Allergic reactions, resulting in skin rashes, tirednessand headaches

Negative reproductive effects, such as sperm damage,birth defects and miscarriages

Damaged brain functions can cause degradation oflearning abilities, personality changes, tremors, visionchanges, deafness, muscle incoordination andmemory loss. Chromosomal damage is known tocause mongolism.

The effects that mercury has on animals are kidneysdamage, stomach disruption, damage to intestines,

reproductive failure and DNA alteration.