High Fructose Corn Syrup

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements with high atomic weights and densities, typically greater than 5 g/cm³. They include lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. They can be toxic even in trace amounts, accumulating in organisms and causing health risks.

Heavy metals in water can cause severe health effects such as neurological damage, kidney failure, and cancer, even at low concentrations. They persist in ecosystems, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and disrupt aquatic life.

Heavy metal parameters include concentration levels, toxicity thresholds, bioavailability, and the presence of specific metals like Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cr. These are regulated by agencies like the EPA and WHO to ensure water safety.

Heavy metal concentration in water is measured using techniques like atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), or colorimetric analysis. The results are expressed in micrograms per liter (µg/L) or milligrams per liter (mg/L).

The permissible limits vary by a regulatory body, but for drinking water, the WHO and EPA set limits such as Lead (Pb) ≤ 0.01 mg/L, Mercury (Hg) ≤ 0.001 mg/L, and Cadmium (Cd) ≤ 0.003 mg/L.

Heavy metal adsorption involves ion exchange, surface complexation, and precipitation on adsorbent materials like activated carbon, biochar, or nanomaterials, reducing metal ions from contaminated water. Adsorption efficiency depends on pH, temperature, and adsorbent type.