A critical review on the organo-metal(loid)s pollution in the environment: Distribution, remediation and risk assessment

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2024-11, Vol.951, p.175531, Article 175531
• Main Authors: Majumdar, Arnab, Upadhyay, Munish Kumar, Ojha, Megha, Biswas, Rakesh, Dey, Saikat, Sarkar, Sukamal, Moulick, Debojyoti, Niazi, Nabeel Khan, Rinklebe, Jörg, Huang, Jen-How, Roychowdhury, Tarit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Environmental distribution; Organometal(loid)s; Organometal(loid)s risk assessments; Pollution load; Remediation strategies
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175531

Toxic metal(loid)s, e.g., mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium are known for several environmental disturbances creating toxicity to humans if accumulated in high quantities. Although not discussed critically, the organo-forms of these inorganic metal(loid)s are considered a greater risk to humans than their elemental forms possibly due to physico-chemical modulation triggering redox alterations or by the involvement of biological metabolism. This extensive review describes the chemical and physical causes of organometals and organometal(loid)s distribution in the environment with ecotoxicity assessment and potential remediation strategies. Organo forms of various metal(loid)s, such as mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), and cadmium (Cd) have been discussed in the context of their ecotoxicity. In addition, we elaborated on the transformation, speciation and transformation pathways of these toxic metal(loid)s in soil-water-plant-microbial systems. The present review has pointed out the status of toxic organometal(loid)s, which is required to make the scientific community aware of this pressing condition of organometal(loid)s distribution in the environment. The gradual disposal and piling of organometal(loid)s in the environment demand a thorough revision of the past-present status with possible remediation strategies prescribed as reflected in this review. [Display omitted] •Bibliographic analysis has showed limited research focus on organometal(loid)s.•Distribution of organo forms in soil-plant-aqueous environments is mostly unnoticed.•Under changing natural conditions, inorganic forms get alkylated or dealkylated.•Organometal(loid)s make greater health hazards than their inorganic forms.•Both physico-chemical and biological remediations are possible with precautions.