Effects of Toxic Elements on Biota in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Terrestrial ecosystems serve as vital habitats for diverse flora and fauna species globally. Toxic elements pose severe threats to terrestrial biota, including humans, due to their toxic properties and potential to be transferred to different trophic levels via food webs and chains. Although some previous studies have sparingly discussed the effects of toxic elements on the environment, insights about their translocation mechanisms in terrestrial ecosystems are scanty. This study focuses on the effects of toxic elements in terrestrial ecosystems, particularly on terrestrial biota, sources, and translocation mechanisms. Toxic elements such as chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) are carcinogenic, mutagenic and persistent in the environment. These elements adversely affect plants and microbial species distribution, abundance, and diversity. Toxic elements pose enormous adverse effects such as cell destruction, mitochondrial oxidative stress, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) alteration, inhibition of seed germination and plant growth, inhibition of photosynthetic activities, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study provides synthesized details on the effects of toxic elements on biota in terrestrial ecosystems.