CADMIUM

Laureen Silute 19141353

Bernard Nzeka 19137843
Haggai sakuwaha 19135938
Preston Tembo 18130774
Chisama Sichone 18132077
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INTRODUCTION
• Cadmium is one of the heavy metals found in the earth’s crust, any metal with atomic
weight 63.5 to 200.6 and density greater than 4g/cm 3 or 5 times greater than that of water
is a heavy metal for instance Chromium, lead and Mercury
[Fu and Wang, 2011]
• Cadmium is soft silvery white metallic element with the symbol Cd, atomic number 48,
mass number 112.41 found in group 12 0r 11B, period 5 and it commonly exhibits the
oxidation state of +2.
• It is a rare element found naturally in small amounts in earth’s crust, but more commonly
produced as a by-product of Zinc mining and refining. Cadmium is a toxic element and can
be harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly. It has a variety of
industrial uses such as in batteries, pigments, coatings and plastics but its use is regulated
in many countries due to its toxicity.
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• It has the following properties:
- boiling point of 765 ◦C
-melting point 320.9 ◦C
- density of 8.65 g/cm3
- it soft, ductile, and malleable
- has good electrical conductivity
- it is resistant to corrosion
SOURCES
• Cadmium is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust.
It is typically found in zinc ores and to a lesser extent in lead and
copper ores. The primary sources of Cadmium are therefore mining
and refining of these metals.
• Cadmium is extracted from these ores through a variety of methods,
including hydrometallurgical processes, pyrometallurgical processes
and electrochemical processes.
• In hydrometallurgical processes, the ores are leached with acid or
alkaline solution to dissolve the cadmium, which is then separated
from other element through various chemical processes.
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• In pyrometallurgical processes the ores are roasted at high
temperatures to convert the cadmium to a soluble form, which is then
extracted through chemical processes. Electrochemical processes
involve the use of electric current to extract the cadmium from the
ores.
• Once extracted, the cadmium is typically purified through various
refining processes before being used in various industrial applications.
USES
Cadmium has a number of industrial and commercial uses. Here are some of
them:
1. Batteries: cadmium is used in rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd)
batteries which are commonly used in electronic devices as an electrode.
2. Pigments: cadmium is used as a pigment in paints, plastics and ceramics.
The pigments range in color from yellow to red, and are highly valued for
their brightness and durability.
3. Coatings and Plating: Cadmium is often used as a coating or plating
material because of its corrosion resistance and ability to adhere well to
other metals. It used to coat steel and other metals to protect them from
corrosion and improve their durability
Cont…
4. Nuclear reactors: cadmium is used in control rods of nuclear reactors
to regulate the rate of fission reactions. It has a high neutron
absorption capacity, which makes it an effective material for
controlling nuclear reactions.
5. Alloys: Cadmium is used in alloys to improve their strength and
corrosion resistance. It is commonly used in combination with other
metals such as copper, nickel and zinc to create alloys that are used in
a wide range of products including bearings, gears and springs.
6. Photovoltaic cells: Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is a semiconductor
material used in photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity.
TOXICITY
Cadmium is a toxic metal that can have harmful effects on the environment and
human health. Here are some of the ways in which cadmium can impact the
environment and human health:
1. Soil contamination: cadmium can accumulate in soil and contaminate
crops leading to food chain contamination. This can lead in a risk of
cadmium exposure for humans and animals that consume contaminated
food
2. Water contamination: Cadmium can leach into ground water and surface
water, contaminating drinking water sources. This can pose a risk of
cadmium exposure for humans and wildlife that drink the water.
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3. Air pollution: Cadmium can be released into the air from industrial
processes and can be inhaled, leading to respiratory problems and
lung damage.
4. Ecosystem effects: Cadmium can have toxic effects on soil microbes
and plants leading to reduced plant growth and ecosystem
productivity.
5. Cancer: there is evidence to suggest that cadmium exposure
increase the risk of certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer and
prostate cancer.
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6. Cardiovascular diseases: Cadmium exposure has been linked to an
increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood
pressure and heart disease.
7. Reproductive problems: Cadmium can affect reproductive health in
both men and women, including reduced fertility and birth defects.
REMEDIATION
Environmental remediation of Cadmium involves techniques and
strategies to remove or reduce its concentration in the environment.
Here are some common methods for environmental remediation of
Cadmium.
1. Phytoremediation: This involves using plants to remove Cadmium
from soil or water. Certain plants, such as Indian mustard, have been
found to be effective in removing Cadmium from contaminated soil.
2. Bioremediation: this involves using micro-organisms to break down
and remove Cadmium from soil or water. Certain bacteria and fungi
have been found to be effective in removing Cadmium from
contaminated environments.
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3. Chemical Precipitation: This involves adding chemicals to
contaminated water to cause the Cadmium to for insoluble
precipitates that can be removed by filtration or settling.
4. Ion exchange: This involves passing contaminated water through an
ion exchange resin that selectively removes Cadmium ions.
5. Electrokinetic remediation: This involves using an electric current to
mobilize Cadmium ions in soil and water, making it easier to remove
them using other remediation methods.
6. Soil washing: This involves using water or other solvents to wash
Cadmium from contaminated soil. The contaminated soil is then
separated from the washing solution and treated to remove
Cadmium.
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REFERENCES
1. Zaman K., Amina E., Dilara A. Bukhari, & Abdul Rehman (2022). Cadmium sources, toxicity,
resistance and removal by microorganisms-A potential strategy for cadmium eradication.
Journal of Saudi Chemical Society, 26(6), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jscs.2022.101569
2. H. Grant, & D. K. Hansen(2013). Clinical Detoxification: Elimination of Persistent Toxicants from
the Human Body. Cadmium Toxicity and Treatment, pp. 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/394652
3. Xin Tang and Yuqin Ni(2021). Review of Remediation Technologies for Cadmium in soil, 233,
pp. 1-9 https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202123301037
4. P. Nagajyoti, K. Lee, T. Sreekanth, Heavy metals, occurrence and toxicity for plants: a review,
Environ. Chem. Lett. 8 (2010)
199–216.
DOI 10.1007/s10311-010-0297-8
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