Contamination with Aluminium

Previously we have seen the damage they cause heavy metals to different ecosystems with so-called toxic Heavy Metals and metal in general, who come not only from the Mining pollutant, but also from other industrial activities, and less cases of "Pollution Natural "as in the Volcanic Eruptions where they are encouraged by the hand of man.

This time, we will look to other metal contaminants that often occur in nature but whose concentration increases sharply with the actions of man, can cause not only the modification of a particular ecosystem, but also serious disruption to the health of people.Uses of AluminumIn nature you can find aluminum, reaching the earth's surface at a rate not exceeding 8%, the third of the elements of the earth's crust, and is quite relative abundance with respect to general metal forming part of the chemical structure of the Alumino-silicates which are present in most rocks and minerals.Due to its high malleability, their abundance and their physicochemical properties that favor its widespread use, this metal is the product of a high level of industrialization, as part of materials such as alumina, one of the components used in wire and Abrasive processing, although its best known application is the creation of Cookware and tools varied cuisine.These elements in the time of disposal are disposed of without treatment, without knowing that may arise Toxic Effects in the future, because as we shall see, no physiological functions in the body, but rather the opposite.

 

Toxic aluminumCurrently there are no deep analysis about the minimum and maximum tolerable to this substance, because it is a bioaccumulative toxic, ie it has no acute toxic effects and sudden, but will accumulate in the affected organs as joins the body, mainly by food intake.When incorporated in the body largely eliminated via the kidney, but is noisy for proper absorption of other substances such as phosphorus, iron and calcium by the body, which in the long term tends to affect other organs like the liver The Heart and the Brain, also accumulate in the bones and the bone marrow.While it is estimated an average of 9 mg% in an adult, this concentration is increased much more in cases of occupational exposure in the case of individuals who work with metal manufacture, printing, automotive factories and further Mining Activities, which is absorbed primarily dermal and respiratory rates, as it is often transported in small particles through the air.

Soil contamination

Explained in a simple way and summarized above, we can indicate that soil is not consolidated loose material that occurs initially in the physical disintegration of rocks, or fruit of meteorological disturbances in the environment.

I usually tend to evolve to be able to form even a complex system, passing to a stratified structure and specific composition, precisely under the influence of living beings.

But as the atmosphere (air pollution), the ground can also be affected by pollution, something which - as you can imagine - receives the correct name of soil contamination.

There are two types of pollution that may have an impact on the structure and soilformation: natural contamination (which is often endogenous) and anthropogenic pollution (totally exogenous).

As we know, and perhaps and as discussed at the beginning of this note, different natural phenomena can be causes significant soil contamination.

To give just one example, an active volcano may be able to provide larger quantities of substances pollutants to several thermal power stations coal boards and external.

The contamination of soil by human activities.

Soil contamination may have a wide variety of causes. Some of the most common reasons are:

the use of pesticides in agriculturala subterráneofiltraciones storage tanks breaking from landfills or waste from industrial products direct vertederosacumulación zone

The most common chemicals that are responsible for soil contamination are: oil, pesticides, solvents and other heavy metals.

This phenomenon is a consequence of the high degree of industrialization, the increasing use of chemicals and the lack of management and control by both companies and the same Governments of different countries

When soil pollution reaches a critical level, affected the natural balance with these complex systems, which translates into a change in the behavior of soils. What happens is that harmful substances that accumulate become toxic to organisms that live there. This chemical degradation can cause partial or even total loss of soil productivity.

Many are the negative consequences of soil contamination. Among them we can mention serious risks to human health, both whether directly or indirectly - given that pollutants from the soil to come into contact with drinking water sources her can also pollute.

To carry out a good study of soil contamination, they must define the maximum allowable levels of contaminants, and analyse factors which can influence the response of the ground to these agents. So not only is enough to detect the presence of contaminated soil.

Once contaminated areas have been defined you can proceed to the cleaning of the area. But this is not a real solution, as - of course - the effects of pollution may have affected by then both animals and plants of the place, and to people's health and productive quality of the soil. Also cleaning perform time and money, and they can not usually be faced by the affected communities.