A holistic review of heavy metals in water and soil in Ebonyi SE, Nigeria; with emphasis on its effects on human, plants and aquatic organisms

A comprehensive review of literature was carried out to evaluate the presence of heavy metals (HMs), with a view to study its effect on man, plants and aquatic organisms in Ebonyi State, southeastern Nigeria. From reviewed literature it was observed that the major source of HM in soil and water can be attributed to anthropogenic activities such as mining and quarrying. Geogenic activities were also implicated by some scholars. Detail analysis showed that 62 % of HMs in water and soil is attributed to mining, while 23 % is attributed to indiscriminate waste disposal, and 15 % is due of other human and geogenic activities. The accumulation of HMs in plants, soil and water poses a serious risk to human, plants and aquatic organisms within the study area. The occurrence of HMs in soil and water if not properly monitored may tend to increase in years to come and this may have negative impact on plants and aquatic organisms. Severe health effects of humans are inevitable. Therefore, constant re-evaluating of HM in water and soil in the area is highly required.