Anupama Rajput, Raunak Raj, Avinash Kumar, Utpal Kant, Rupesh Singh and Sachin Kumar
Abstract
Heavy metals are metallic elements with high atomic weights that are persistent and toxic and pose adverse risks to the environment, ecology and human health. These include natural occurrences such as geological weathering and volcanic activity as well as anthropogenic input from mining, industrial processes, agricultural practices and poor waste management. Once released into the environment, heavy metals can infiltrate soil, water, and air, where they bio-accumulate in living organisms and bio magnify throughout the food chain. To mitigate the associated risks, various remediation techniques have been developed. These include physical methods like excavation and containment, chemical treatments such as precipitation and ion exchange, and biological strategies including phytoremediation and bioremediation. This review explores the impacts of heavy metal pollution on ecosystems, food chains, and human health. It also discusses preventive strategies to limit environmental release and manage contamination effectively. To reduce these risks, many control measures techniques are developing. These are chemical as well as help of advancement of Artificial Intelligence. Chemical treatment like precipitation and ion exchange and biological approaches like phytoremediation and bioremediation are monitored and advanced by use of Artificial Intelligence. These Artificial Intelligence helps in monitoring as well as predicting contamination, identifying resources, suggesting measures that should be taken for prevention and their consequences.