The transfer of trace metals in the soil-plant-arthropod system

Essential and non-essential trace metals are capable of causing toxicity to organisms above a threshold concentration. Extensive research has assessed the behaviour in biological ecological systems, but typically focused on single within trophic level not multi-trophic transfer through terrestrial food chains. This reinforces notion metal as closed system, failing consider one pollution source another; therefore, obscuring full extent ecosystem effects. Given relatively few studies metals, this review taken compartment-based approach, where pathways is considered series linked compartments (soil-plant-arthropod herbivore-arthropod predator). In particular, we mechanisms by which up organisms, forms transformations that can occur organism consequences for availability next level. The focuses four most prevalent cations soil labile chains: Cd, Cu, Zn Ni. Current knowledge processes these transformed moved between levels soil-plant-arthropod system evaluated. We demonstrate key factors controlling form location occurs lower physiological each regulating uptake, transformation, detoxification transfer. magnitude varies considerably depending concerned, does its toxicity, conclude biomagnification general property plant-arthropod arthropod-arthropod systems. To deliver more holistic assessment integrated across needed identify critical result secondary food-chains.