Content area
Abstract
The trace metals occur as natural components of the earth's crust and are ever present as constituents of soils, natural waters and living matter. In the past three decades there has been a rapid growth of industries. Hence with the increase in industrialisation, the problem of disposal of waste has also been increasing. There is always a possibility in all the effluents/waste water that several trace elements may be present. The trace elements like Se, Te, As, Sn, Bi, Cd, Hg, Ti, Pb, Zn, Ni, V, Mn etc. have been increasing attention in the present times as toxic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems (1,2). Hence environmental pollution which includes water, air and soil pollution, mainly caused by industrial effluents, has emerged as a major threat to the human beings, animals, marine life, plants, crops etc.. With the rapid industrialisation (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, chemicals and textile industries), obviously, more efficient and economical methods for removal of pollutants from industrial effluents are being devised.
