| Abstract [eng] |
Heavy metals (HMs) are natural components of the earth crust the geochemical and biochemical balance of which is undergoing drastic changes caused by anthropogenic activities. Rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, growing transport intensity as well as agricultural activities create problems of soil contamination with HMs. The environmental pollution with HMs is an acute problem because, according to the Korte index designed to show hazard to life, health and heridity, HMs are among such major ecological problems as contamination with pesticides, acid rain, oil spills, chemical fertilizers, and noise. Large areas of land are contaminated with HMs formed in sewage, waste incineration plants, in farming with fertilizers and pesticides, as well as in industrial metal and leather processing, etc. HMs are long-term contaminants with the ability accumulate in the soil and plants, and cannot disappear in a natural way. The most hazardous are toxic metals (e.g. lead, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, manganese and others), including their soluble compounds. Some HMs (e.g. zinc, manganese, nickel) are nutrients essential to plants, whereas lead and cadmium are more harmful elements. The transfer of HMs to the plant and their distribution therein make an impact on plant nutrition. Each year witness an accumulation of around 200 000 tons of sewage sludge in Lithuania. The sludge is being stored and used for fertilisation, yet the amount of the stored sludge is constantly increasing, whereas due to high concentrations of HMs sludge is prohibited from being used for fertilisation. The environment-friendly methods of sewage sludge treatment based on the principles of sustainable development should to be followed. |
