Study on Mercury Exposure and Different Approaches for the Management of Mercury Toxicity
Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic heavy metal that causes significant risks to human health and the environment. This study explores the sources and routes of mercury exposure to humans, its toxicological effects, and the various methods of phytoremediation and bioremediation to mitigate (Reduce) mercu...
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MDPI AG
2024-04-01
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| author | Praveen Kumar Maddheshiya Priyanka Bharti Sarad Kumar Mishra Kapil Gupta |
| author_facet | Praveen Kumar Maddheshiya Priyanka Bharti Sarad Kumar Mishra Kapil Gupta |
| author_sort | Praveen Kumar Maddheshiya |
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| description | Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic heavy metal that causes significant risks to human health and the environment. This study explores the sources and routes of mercury exposure to humans, its toxicological effects, and the various methods of phytoremediation and bioremediation to mitigate (Reduce) mercury contamination in the environment. Mercury exposure to humans primarily occurs through the consumption of contaminated seafood, the inhalation of mercury vapour, and occupational exposure, which can lead to adverse health effects, including neurological disorders, cardiovascular issues, and developmental defects. Furthermore, mercury contamination in the environment can persist and bioaccumulate in the food chain, further exacerbating the risks to human health. Phytoremediation, a sustainable and cost-effective method, involves the use of plants to extract, stabilize, or transform mercury in contaminated soils or water. Various plant species have demonstrated the ability to accumulate and detoxify mercury through mechanisms such as phytochelation and rhizofiltration. Additionally, the genetic engineering of plants can be achieved to enhance mercury uptake, and accumulation is also a promising method used for efficient phytoremediation. Bioremediation, on the other hand, involves the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, to remediate mercury-contaminated sites. These microorganisms can reduce mercury to less toxic forms (e.g., elemental mercury to less soluble mercuric ions) or form complexes that immobilize mercury. Apart from microbes and plants, seaweed or seaweed-derived products can be seen as an efficient alternative for the bioaccumulation of mercury. Bioremediation techniques are being continuously developed and optimized to enhance their efficiency and applicability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-77639eeef7c44681a3c2bc243c792b99 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2504-3900 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-77639eeef7c44681a3c2bc243c792b992025-08-20T01:48:54ZengMDPI AGProceedings2504-39002024-04-0110312910.3390/proceedings2024103029Study on Mercury Exposure and Different Approaches for the Management of Mercury ToxicityPraveen Kumar Maddheshiya0Priyanka Bharti1Sarad Kumar Mishra2Kapil Gupta3Department of Biotechnology, Siddharth University, Kapilvastu 272202, IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur 273009, IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur 273009, IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Siddharth University, Kapilvastu 272202, IndiaMercury (Hg) is a highly toxic heavy metal that causes significant risks to human health and the environment. This study explores the sources and routes of mercury exposure to humans, its toxicological effects, and the various methods of phytoremediation and bioremediation to mitigate (Reduce) mercury contamination in the environment. Mercury exposure to humans primarily occurs through the consumption of contaminated seafood, the inhalation of mercury vapour, and occupational exposure, which can lead to adverse health effects, including neurological disorders, cardiovascular issues, and developmental defects. Furthermore, mercury contamination in the environment can persist and bioaccumulate in the food chain, further exacerbating the risks to human health. Phytoremediation, a sustainable and cost-effective method, involves the use of plants to extract, stabilize, or transform mercury in contaminated soils or water. Various plant species have demonstrated the ability to accumulate and detoxify mercury through mechanisms such as phytochelation and rhizofiltration. Additionally, the genetic engineering of plants can be achieved to enhance mercury uptake, and accumulation is also a promising method used for efficient phytoremediation. Bioremediation, on the other hand, involves the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, to remediate mercury-contaminated sites. These microorganisms can reduce mercury to less toxic forms (e.g., elemental mercury to less soluble mercuric ions) or form complexes that immobilize mercury. Apart from microbes and plants, seaweed or seaweed-derived products can be seen as an efficient alternative for the bioaccumulation of mercury. Bioremediation techniques are being continuously developed and optimized to enhance their efficiency and applicability.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/103/1/29mercury (Hg)toxicity-neurological disordersphytoremediationbioremediation |
| spellingShingle | Praveen Kumar Maddheshiya Priyanka Bharti Sarad Kumar Mishra Kapil Gupta Study on Mercury Exposure and Different Approaches for the Management of Mercury Toxicity Proceedings mercury (Hg) toxicity-neurological disorders phytoremediation bioremediation |
| title | Study on Mercury Exposure and Different Approaches for the Management of Mercury Toxicity |
| title_full | Study on Mercury Exposure and Different Approaches for the Management of Mercury Toxicity |
| title_fullStr | Study on Mercury Exposure and Different Approaches for the Management of Mercury Toxicity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study on Mercury Exposure and Different Approaches for the Management of Mercury Toxicity |
| title_short | Study on Mercury Exposure and Different Approaches for the Management of Mercury Toxicity |
| title_sort | study on mercury exposure and different approaches for the management of mercury toxicity |
| topic | mercury (Hg) toxicity-neurological disorders phytoremediation bioremediation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/103/1/29 |
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