Trace Elements from Soil to Human

Understanding the fundamental principles and phenomena that govern the transfer of trace elements in the soil-plant-human chain can contribute to the protection of the environment and human health. Many books, articles, and reports have already described both basic and detailed issues related to these topics. The authors' intention is to provide current and selected interdisciplinary data for a concise representation of the existing knowledge about the transfer of trace elements in the food chain, from soil to humans. To achieve this, the inclusion of appropriate data was necessary. This book inevitably leaves many researchers' publications unmentioned. The authors regret that such an approach was necessary.

This volume consists of two parts. Part I, Biogeochemistry of the Human Environment, presents fundamental information about the biogeochemical properties of environmental compartments (soil, water, air, plants, humans) in relation to trace elements. Part II, Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, provides detailed data on the behavior and occurrence of trace elements in the environment. There is a close relationship in the biogeochemical behavior between elements and their position in the periodic table. Therefore, the format of this book follows the elemental sequences of the contemporary periodic table. The book offers data on the production, use, and occurrence of trace elements in soils, waters, air, plants, and humans (animals). Environmental stress and the biological functions of these elements are discussed in detail.