Heavy Metals in Particulate Matter-Trends and Impacts on Environment

Heavy metals represent a class of pollutants detected at concentrations lower than 10 ppm in different matrices that are intensively monitored due to having a major impact on human health. Industrial activities including mining, agriculture, and transport, determine their presence in different environments. Corrosion phenomena of various installations, volcanic eruptions, or atmospheric deposition on the soil surface and in water can contaminate the respective environments. Atmospheric pollutants in the form of suspended dust particles with diameters below 10 microns are predominantly composed of different metallic species from Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, etc. This paper presents a review of the main sources and types of heavy metals present in the atmosphere in the composition of particulate matter (PM), highlighting the main mechanisms of occurrence and detection techniques, including the impact on bio-geo-chemical processes in the soil and food chain, in close correlation with their impact on environment and human health. The purpose of this review is to highlight the current level of knowledge regarding the global situation of heavy metals in PM and to identify gaps as targets for future research.