An Empirical Review on the Impact of Heavy Metal-Polluted Soil on Soil Enzyme Activities

Abstract

Environmental contamination by heavy metals is an issue of global concern. Human activities, the release of various organic and inorganic contaminants have continued to rise. Some of these activities include industrialization, faming activities, and vehicular emissions amongst others. Heavy metals have been identified as one of the major groups of pollution because they pose deleterious effects on plants, animals and the environment. Heavy metals are not biodegraded by microbial activities; rather they persist and are transmitted along the food chain with a high degree of bioaccumulation. Heavy metals in soil have continued to increase, since the soil acts as a natural reservoir of these metals in the environment. Hence metals from other parts of the environment usually are found within the soil. This review provides details information on effects of heavy metals on soil enzyme activities. The review indicates that the heavy metals in such high concentrations inhibit the activity of enzyme secreting flora and fauna in soil, as excessive amounts of heavy metals disrupt the homeostasis of soil by interfering with the control mechanisms at genetic level. Thus, the decline in soil enzyme activity reflects the soil degradation potential of the heavy metals released into the soil. Therefore, it is crucial to take adequate remediation measure in order to protect the health of soil flora and fauna in these areas.