What is heavy metal bioaccumulation? What is a heavy metal?

A heavy metal is a metal that is dense (is thick), or has a high atomic weight, and is poisonous or toxic in large amounts. Some examples are cadmium, beryllium, mercury, lead and copper. What does bioaccumulation mean? ioaccumulation is when a substance accumulates (builds up) in a living organism. !he substance accumulates "aster than it is broken down. What is the cause of the problem in Australia? !here are no causes o" heavy metal bioaccumulation that are speci"ic to Australia, but the causes o" it are# industrial production (eg. $esticides production, smelters, and oil re"ineries). acid rain breaking down soil and releasing the heavy metals into a water source mining disposal o" electronic waste (eg. %omputers and mobile phones) and the disposal o" other waste. untreated sewage sludge consumer and industry waste. Industries linked to the problem: !he coal industry %oal plants emit mercury. Ash and sludge is also produced "rom coal plants. !his ash and sludge has things like lead and mercury in it. &atural 'as !he &atural 'as industry produces heavy metals like arsenic, lead and mercury. !he %hlor(Alkali industry !he chlor(alkali industry produces waste like mercury and calcium. )ining !he mining industry produces arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper and manganese.

Environmental effects *eavy metals have a negative e""ect to the environment in large amounts. *eavy metals can contaminate soil, and that a""ects crops. !hey can also contaminate water sources, which a""ects marine li"e. +t accumulates inside the marine li"e, and has a negative e""ect. ,or example, mercury in "ish, and other animals, can cause damage to the kidneys and nervous system, slow growth, or even result in death.

*eavy metals that contaminate water and accumulate inside marine li"e, can also then spread through the "ood chain and reach more creatures, including land animals. *eavy metals in animals can cause bone de"ects, such as osteoporosis . *igh amounts o" heavy metals in the air are toxic to birds. Effect on society *eavy metal bioaccumulation a""ects society in a number o" ways. ioaccumulation in and poisoning o" marine li"e can cause a decline in the "ish population, which a""ects the "ishing industry, because there are less "ish "or "ishermen to catch. !his lack o" "ish can also raise the price o" "ish and other sea creatures. *eavy metals can reach humans, through the "ood chain, and are very toxic. -ead exposure in humans can cause damage to the central nervous system %admium in humans can possibly cause lung cancer. %opper in high amounts can cause anemia, and kidney and liver damage. )ercury can cause damage to the central nervous system and brain.

What's being done about it? !he use o" heavy metals, such as mercury and lead has been stopped, and there are laws and regulations about those heavy metals and other ones. !here are many conventions about heavy metal bioaccumulation and pollution. A "ew are# !he %artagena convention. !he convention aims to reduce heavy metal pollution. 'overnments that agree to the protocol have to set up monitoring programs, conduct environmental impact assessments, and promote education and awareness about pollution. !he convention on -ong(.ange !ransboundary Air $ollutants. !his convention is trying to reduce, and eventually stop air pollution / in particular mercury, lead, and cadmium. !he asel %onvention. !his convention aims to protect humans and the environment "rom the e""ects o" moving, management, and disposal o" dangerous wastes, which includes heavy metals.

Image showing how mercury can reach humans through the food chain.

Mercury, a heavy metal.

Image showing heavy metal sources.