Heavy Metal, Waste, COVID-19, and Rapid Industrialization in This Modern Era-Fit for Sustainable Future

Heavy metal contamination, waste, and COVID-19 are hazardous to all living things in the environment. This review examined the effects of heavy metals, waste, and COVID-19 on the ecosystem. Scientists and researchers are currently working on ways to extract valuable metals from waste and wastewater. We prefer Tessier sequential extraction for future use for heavy metal pollution in soil. Results indicated that population growth is another source of pollution in the environment. Heavy metal pollution wreaks havoc on soil and groundwater, especially in China. COVID-19 has pros and cons. The COVID-19 epidemic has reduced air pollution in China and caused a significant reduction in CO2 releases globally due to the lockdown but has a harmful effect on human health and the economy. Moreover, COVID-19 brings a huge amount of biomedical waste. COVID-19's biomedical waste appears to be causing different health issues. On the other hand, it was discovered that recycling has become a new source of pollution in south China. Furthermore, heavy metal contamination is the most severe ecological effect. Likewise, every problem has a remedy to create new waste management and pollution monitoring policy. The construction of a modern recycling refinery is an important aspect of national waste disposal.

Automated summary

This review examines the impact of heavy metal contamination, waste, and COVID-19 on the ecosystem. Scientists are researching methods to extract valuable metals from waste, with Tessier sequential extraction being a preferred technique for soil pollution. Population growth is identified as a significant source of pollution, while heavy metal contamination poses a severe threat to soil and groundwater, particularly in China. COVID-19 has both positive and negative effects, reducing air pollution and CO2 emissions but generating significant biomedical waste. Recycling in south China has also been found to contribute to pollution. Effective waste management and pollution monitoring policies are needed, along with the construction of modern recycling refineries.