Nickel in the terrestrial environment.

This paper provides an overview of nickel concentrations in the terrestrial environment especially as it relates to exposure of the metal to humans and animals through food. The information includes a review of reports published in the scientific literature substantially supplemented with data obtained across the province of Ontario, Canada. The topics covered include background levels and levels of nickel measured in a number of different types of biota exposed to environmental contamination. These include plants of different types (higher plants, mosses), fungi and lichens and animals (birds, mammals, invertebrates). The information covers accumulation of nickel in plants with time and distribution of nickel among tissues of individual plants. Information on phytotoxicity and environmental guidelines are reviewed.