Cadmium in Plants, Humans and the Environment

Heavy metals are the most persistent and complex pollutants in nature. They not only reduce the quality of the atmosphere, water bodies and food crops, but also threaten the health and well-being of animals and people. Metals are accumulated in the tissues of living organisms since unlike most organic compounds; they are not subject to metabolic degradation. Cadmium (Cd) is one of the heavy metals as well as one of the most important pollutants that easily transported in plants, then distributed to all plant organs, and thus easily transferred to the food chain. So far, studies have not shown any positive effects of Cd on living organisms. Cd has harmful effects on human health even in low concentrations, which can cause many serious illnesses and even deaths. In this article, a literature review has been made under the headings of the general properties of Cd, its distribution in nature, its sources and usage areas, the entryways of Cd into plants, its transportation as well as importance in plant metabolism; effects on plants as a heavy metal, the antagonistic-synergistic relationship of Cd with other elements, remediation methods can be applied in soils exposed to Cd contamination, the passage ways of Cd to nutrients, its entry into the body and its transportation, and finally the effects of Cd on humans and animals.