2. Trace elements contamination and availability: human health implications implications of food chain and biofortification.

3. Trace elements in agro-ecosystems.

4. Metal accumulate on in crops- human health ssues.

5. Trace elements and plant secondary metabolism: quality and efficacy of herbal products.

6. Trace elements and radionuclides in edible plants.

7. Trace elements in traditional healing plants - remedies or risks.

8. Biofortification: nutritional security and relevance to human helath.

9. Zinc for human health and sustainable development.

10. Zinc effect on the phytoestrogen content of pomegranate fruit tree.

11. Iron bioavailability and homeostasis through phytoferritins: fortification and intervention strategic approaches for human health and nutrition.

12. Iodine and health: A review of Bhutan’s Iodine Fortification programme.

13. Radionuclide contamination at Kazakhstan’s Semipalatinsk Test Site: consequences for ecosystems and human health.

14. Uranium and thorium bioaccumulation in cultivated plants.

15. Mercuy - Inorganic and organic forms, environmental fate and toxicity.

16. Cadmium as an environmental contaminant - Consequences to plant and human health.

17. Trace elements transport in plants.

18. Cadmium detoxification in plants - Involvement of ABC transporters.

19. Iron: A major disease modifier in thalassaemia.

20. Trace Elements: Nutritional Benefits, Environmental Contamination, and Health Implications in Cancer.

21. Mode of action and toxicity of trace elements.

22. Input and transfer of trace metals from food via mothermilk to the child - bioindicative aspects to human health.

23. Selenium and lead in soil.

24. Arsenic and uranium contamination control by aquatic plants.

25. Copper as an environmental contaminant and essential nutrient: consequences to plant and human health.

26. Forms of copper, manganese, zinc, and iron in soils of Slovakia, system of fertilizers recommendation and soil monitoring.

27. Role of minerals in halophyte feeding to ruminants.

28. Plants as biomonitors of trace elements pollution in soil.

29. Bioindication and biomonitoring as innovative biotechniques for controlling trace metal influences to the environment.

Recent findings on trace elements in the food chain and the environment

Trace elements are inorganic chemicals usually occurring in small amounts in nature. Trace element deficiencies and contamination are increasing due to the increasing industrialization of farming systems, industrial pollution, and other factors. In the right amounts, trace elements are beneficial; in fact, several trace elements are essential for human and animal health. Deficiencies can produce devastating health defects, while excess exposure or consumption can be harmful or even fatal. With chapters contributed by leading experts in their specialty areas, Trace Elements as Contaminants and Nutrients: Consequences in Ecosystems and Human Health:

• Uniquely consolidates information on plant and animal nutrient requirements, fortified foods, nutrient deficiencies, and excess exposure via air, water, and soil contamination

• Addresses areas for which there is a lack of information, such as bioavailability and uptake biochemistry, membrane biochemistry and transport mechanisms, enzymology, mode of action and toxicity, human health implications (efficiency and deficiency of trace elements), and biofortification

• Covers bioindication and biomonitoring as innovative biotechniques for controlling trace metal influences in the environment

• Incorporates information on specific elements, including zinc, iron, calcium, iodine, cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury, selenium, and more

• Includes case studies

This is a seminal reference for scientists working in geochemistry, hydrology, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry and biology, and separation science and technology; plant, soil, crop, agricultural, food, and water scientists; academic and regulatory professionals in these fields; and aid agencies and non-governmental organizations.