Environmental pollution is one of the most serious problems in the sphere of ecology. Rapid industrialization, discovery and development of new oil fields, modern agricultural practices, and other types of anthropogenic activities contribute substantial amounts of toxic heavy metals to the environment. Heavy metals are some of the prominent substances that pollute soil, water and air. Pollution by heavy metals is constantly rising, producing serious toxic effect on all forms of living organisms, and altering properties of soil and its biological activity. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals in plant products can have serious adverse effect on the quality and safety of food. Consumption of such products poses a potential risk to global food security and healthy lifestyle. This article examines the effect of heavy metals on plants and their enzymatic and metabolic processes, which ultimately leads to a decrease in overall productivity of plants.

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重金属对生态系统的影响

环境污染是生态领域最严重的问题之一。快速工业化、新油田的发现和开发、现代农业实践和其他类型的人为活动为环境贡献了大量有毒重金属。重金属是污染土壤、水和空气的一些主要物质。重金属污染不断加剧，对各种生物产生严重的毒性作用，改变土壤的性质及其生物活性。重金属在植物产品中的过量积累会对食品的质量和安全产生严重的不利影响。消费此类产品对全球粮食安全和健康生活方式构成潜在风险。