Trace Elements from Soil to Human

The understanding of fundamental principles and phenomena that control the tra- fer of trace elements in soil-plant-human chain can contribute to the protection of the environment and human health. Many books, articles, and reports have already – scribed both fundamental and/or detail problems related to these topics. The intention of the authors is to provide up-to-date and selected interdisciplinary data for the concise presentation of existing knowledge on trace element transfer in the food chain, from soil to human. To accomplish this, the inclusion of appropriate data has been necessary. This book inevitably leaves publications of many investi- tors’ uncited. The authors regret that such approach was necessary. This volume is composed of two parts. Part I – Biogeochemistry of the Human – vironment – presents fundamental information on biogeochemical properties of en- ronmental compartments (soil, water, air, plants, humans) concerning trace elements. Part II – Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements – provides detailed data of the behavior and the occurrence of trace elements in the environment. There is a close relationship in the biogeochemical behavior between elements and their position in the Periodic System. Therefore, the format of this book follows the elemental sequences of the contemporary Periodic Table. The book provides data on the production usage, and on the occurrence of trace elements in soils, waters, air, plants, and humans (animals). Environmental stress, and biological functions of these elements are widely discussed.