Heavy Metals Bring a Heavy Burden to Soil Health

 Posted by Timothy Martin

Soil enzymes are critical in maintaining the overall
health and fertility of the soil system through the
promotion of chemical reactions. However, human

industrial activity commonly led by the use of
chemically synthesized fertilizers has endangered the wellbeing of soil enzymes and thus soil health. In a recent meta-analysis done by a research group at RUDN university it was shown that the most affected soil enzymes are those that deal with the biogeochemical chemical cycling of minerals such as sulfur,carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Two critical endoenzymes, or enzymes which come from living cells, such as dehydrogenase and arylsulphatase were shown to be some of the most sensitive, with adverse effects starting metal concentrations of 200mg per 1kg of soil.

Common heavy metals in soils such as lead, zinc, cadmium, copper and arsenic are the largest contributors to the degradation of soil health and chemical remediation efforts are often the only solution to rectifying and healing the damaged soil system.

 Unfortunately, many of the sources of chemical contamination can lead back to chemistry laboratories, such as the creation of arsenic based fertilizers and pesticides which are often also high in cadmium. The decline of soil fertility poses a risk to a stable agricultural economy and, without a change in how chemists produce the tools necessary for large yield farming, a soil system collapse is looming in the near future.

Sources:

“Heavy Metals in Fertilizers.” EH: Minnesota Department of Health, www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/risk/studies/metals.html.

“Heavy Metals Make Soil Enzymes 3 Times Weaker.” Phys.org, Phys.org, 8 Sept. 2020, phys.org/news/2020-09-heavy-metals-soil-enzymes-weaker.html.