The pollution of soil by heavy metals (HMs) is a critical global challenge, threatening environmental health, agricultural productivity, and food security. Heavy metals persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in plants, and disrupt essential physiological processes, leading to oxidative stress, reduced photosynthesis, stunted growth, and even plant death. These effects compromise food quality and quantity, exacerbating global food insecurity and posing serious risks to human health due to their long half-life and bioaccumulation potential. Heavy Metals in Soils: Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems and Food Crop Plants explores the multifaceted challenges posed by heavy metal contamination in soils and offers innovative solutions to mitigate its impact. Key features include:A global overview of heavy metal occurrence in terrestrial ecosystems, their consequences, and potential solutions. Cutting-edge techniques for the detection and remediation of heavy metals in soils. Insights into heavy metal metabolism in plants and its effects on crop productivity. An in-depth analysis of how soil contamination by heavy metals contributes to food insecurity, threatening both food safety and supply. This book is an essential resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to address the urgent issue of heavy metal pollution and its far-reaching implications for agriculture, food security, and environmental sustainability.
