HEAVY METALS
A heavy metal is an element that exhibits metallic properties. Heavy metals are included within the transition metals, some metalloids, lanthanides, and actinides. Many different definitions have been proposed—some based on density, some on atomic number or atomic weight, and some on chemical properties or toxicity. Living organisms require varying amounts of "heavy metals". Iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc are required by humans. Excessive levels can be damaging to the organism. Other heavy metals such as mercury, plutonium, and lead are toxic metals that have no known vital or beneficial effect on organisms, and their accumulation over time in the bodies of animals can cause serious illness. Certain elements that are normally toxic are, for certain organisms or under certain conditions, beneficial. Examples include vanadium, tungsten, and even cadmium. Motivations for controlling heavy metal concentrations in gas streams are diverse. Some of them are dangerous to health or to the environment (e.g. mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium), [3] some may cause corrosion (e.g. zinc, lead), some are harmful in other ways (e.g. arsenic may pollute catalysts). Some of these elements are actually necessary for humans in minute amounts (cobalt, copper, chromium, manganese, nickel) while others are carcinogenic or toxic, affecting, among others, the central nervous system (manganese, mercury, lead, arsenic), the kidneys or liver (mercury, lead, cadmium, copper) or skin, bones, or teeth (nickel, cadmium, copper, chromium).
-adapted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_(chemistry)
In this project, you will explain how science is applied to a problem (heavy metals) and how it may be used to address the problem in a local or global context.
Notes Sheet
Notecatcher
HEAVY METAL ARTICLES
Mercury
Lead
Cadmium
Arsenic
-adapted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_(chemistry)
In this project, you will explain how science is applied to a problem (heavy metals) and how it may be used to address the problem in a local or global context.
Notes Sheet
Notecatcher
HEAVY METAL ARTICLES
Mercury
Lead
Cadmium
Arsenic