Effects of cadmium on microorganisms

A short review was made of current knowledge, particularly of experimental and laboratory studies, relating to cadmium toxicity on microorganisms. The survey includes several aspects of cadmium toxicology, such as growth inhibition, lethality, physiological alterations, microbial resistance to cadmium, uptake, and bioaccumulation. The spectrum of heavy metal toxicity on microorganisms involves initial growth inhibition up to the total elimination of a microbial population, and includes alterations of morphology, e.g., mitochondria, Golgi, and ribosomes as probable sites of damage, of metabolic pathways or enzymatic activities. Heavy metals may cause cytostatic or mutagenic effects, as described for Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. Microorganisms have the potential to accumulate and deposit heavy metals without showing adverse effects, to develop mechanisms of resistance, and to adapt to increasing concentrations of heavy metals.