The Cadmium in Soil and Plants

The hazardous heavy cadmium (Cd) metal deposits into soil through various anthropogenic activities. It is harmful to both animals and plants, causing physiochemical, morphological, and structural changes in plants and malfunctioning of multi-organ and ultimately death in animals. Living things are often exposed to Cd directly through the food chain. Cadmium contamination in soils and groundwater causes harmful effects on the human body by consuming the affected food and water. Several factors like soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, microbial activities in the soil, and root exudates influence the bioavailability of Cd. Cd toxicity in plants can cause nutrient imbalance, oxidative damage, disturbance in carbon metabolism, and reduction in photosynthetic efficiency. Cd can enter the body through oral, respiratory, and skin routes, causing harmful effects. This chapter highlights cadmium contamination in soil and plants and their potential health risks.