Heavy Metals

Definition

Heavy metals are metallic elements with high atomic weights that have toxic properties and can accumulate in the environment. Examples include lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. These metals can enter ecosystems through various human activities and pose risks to both environmental and human health.

Related terms

Bioavailability: The degree to which a substance (such as a heavy metal) is available for uptake by living organisms.

Biomagnification:

The process by which concentrations of certain substances (like heavy metals) increase at higher levels of the food chain as predators consume prey containing lower levels of those substances.

Toxicity:

The degree to which a substance (such as a heavy metal) can cause harm or damage to living organisms when exposed to it.