Environmental Exposures and Toxic Effects of Cadmium: A Review

As other elements are the part of soils composition in the same way Heavy metals are also found in this naturally. Cadmium is also considered as a heavy metal. It is also found in the soil but in a very minute quantity. High concentrations are confined primarily in to polluted soil. This review emphasizes cadmium toxicity on plants with regards to ecological, physiological and biochemical aspects. Cadmium toxicity in plants and problems concerning tolerance are discussed. Efforts have been made to compare the relative sensitivity of various plant groups. Cadmium is a non-essential heavy metal so it is considered as pollutant. Its presence in environment resulting from various agricultural, mining and industrial activities and also from the exhaust gases of automobiles. It may help in interdisciplinary studies to assess the ecological significance of metal stress.