Forests are good for the planet: they purify the air and moderate the climate. They are abundant in resources, providing habitat, food, shelter and a rich biodiversity of plant and animal life.
So it’s a worry that forests located near major cities are exposed to metals commonly found in atmospheric pollution. Metal contamination is one of the most serious environmental pollutants because it’s toxic and gets into air, water and soil.
Metal contamination in forest soils affects biological activity. It causes delays in the decomposition process, which provides essential nutrients for the growth of plants and organisms. Plants can also be damaged, causing disruption in photosynthesis and transpiration processes. This can affect carbon storage and sequestration and consequently the climate.