ABSTRACT
The presence of heavy metal ions in emissions, waste waters and watersheds has raised considerable concern in recent years and generated national pollutant release inventories (https://www.ec.gc .ca/inrp-npri/default.asp?lang=En&n=4A577BB9-1). Base metal smelting and re—ning industries produce cobalt, copper, lead, nickel and zinc. Primary processing generally produces metals from ore concentrates, while secondary processing sources include recycled post-consumer electronic components, metal parts, bars, turnings, sheets, and scrap wire. The manufacturing sector produces metal-containing electrical switches, dental amalgams, ¬uorescent lights and batteries, and waste incineration and metal goods discarded by consumers also contain these types of materials. Particulate matter in smog and atmospheric emissions (Table 10.1) and metal leachate after acidi—- cation of soil and water ecosystems also contribute to heavy metal pollution (reviewed by Suresh and Ravishankar 2004) (https://www.ec.gc.ca/mercure-mercury/default.asp?lang=En&n=CF513593-1).
