Scientific Study from the year 2016 in the subject Biology - Botany, Bansthali University, language: English, abstract: Out of 90 naturally occurring elements, 53 are considered as heavy metals, however, not all of them have biological significance. Heavy metals cannot be smashed, but can only be altered from one state to another. On the basis of their solubility in physiological conditions, 17 heavy metals are obtainable for living cells and of significance for the organism and ecosystem. Among these metals, Fe, Mn and Mo are important as micronutrients; Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, V, W and Zn are noxious elements with high or low importance as trace elements. Most common heavy metals, namely, Cu, Cd and Zn create the major problem in contaminated soils that is completely different from organic pollutants. Unlike organic pollutants, these heavy metals cannot be biodegraded and therefore exist in the environment for extended periods of time. Hence, environmental pollution caused by these heavy metals becomes more frightening and tricky with ever increasing unplanned mining and unconstrained industrial activities. In present scenario of increasing industrialization, soil and water contamination is exceptionally alarming and widespread all over the developing world, including highly populated countries like China and India. Thus the toxicity of heavy metals in our environment is a worldwide problem and a growing hazard to the sustainable ecosystem. The present book is written on the basis of extensive research with the objectives to find out the uptake and toxicity of copper in three species of Brassica viz. B. juncea (L.) Czern., B. napus L. and B. rapa L. It also provides an insight regarding the tissue specific cellular buildup of copper in root, shoot and leaves of these species. The relationships with growth and biochemical changes under Cu induced stress are also discussed in this book.
About the Author: DR. AFROZ ALAM is currently working as Associate Professor in the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Rajasthan. He obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from University of Lucknow, (U.P.). He also qualified ASRB-NET (ICAR) examination. His areas of specialization are Bryophytes' systematics and bryodiversity. He was awarded J.R.F. and S.R.F. in "All India coordinated Project on Taxonomy Capacity Building for Bryophytes" (AICOPTAX) sponsored by Ministry of Environment & Forests, New Delhi at Bryology Unit, Department of Botany, University of Lucknow during his research. Dr. Alam has collected over 3000 accession of bryophytes in several plant collection trips to different localities of the country including some arduous and treacherous terrains of Nilgiri and Palni Hills of Southern Peninsula, Eastern and Western Himalayas and Rajasthan. Dr. Alam has vast experience of teaching and research in bryology. He has over 50 research publications in prestigious International and National Journals and 4 text books. Dr Alam has also attended and presented papers in number of seminars. He is a Life member of Association of Plant Taxonomy (APT), India and Indian Bryological Society (IBS). Presently, he is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Rajasthan. He is one of the curators of BURI herbarium. Botanical Survey of India (ENVIS-BSI) approved him as one of the experts of bryology in India.