Investigating Cobalt in Soil-plant-animal-human system: Dynamics, Impact and Management

A great paucity of information exists regarding cobalt (Co), a beneficial plant nutrient and an essential trace element for human. Different soil fractions namely soluble and exchangeable pool, organically bound pool, oxide bound pools etc. dynamically regulate phytoavailability of Co. The uptake and translocation of Co is mediated by highly specialized transporter systems. Co regulates various developmental and metabolic aspects of plants namely biological nitrogen fixation, stress management and enzyme activation. In animals including human beings, Co governs the biosynthesis of vitamin B-12. Nevertheless, toxic levels of Co often invite detrimental physiological behaviours in biological systems like structural aberration, reduced photosynthetic activity, interference with chlorophyll synthesis and induction of oxidative stress. Supplementing Co in deficient situation in the form of fertilization is required to augment food and nutritional security. Obnoxious occurrence of Co is alleviated using physicochemical techniques, bioremediation and phytoremediation to prevent dietary exposure. Management of this critical element in soil-plant-animal-human system backed up with meticulous research needs to be prioritized. In this review, we made a generous effort to compose comprehensive yet compact literature on elemental cobalt, soil dynamics, uptake as well as its impacts. Further, this study discusses the most recent developments of managerial aspects to address the deficiency-toxicity dilemma which possibly is quite limited regarding bibliographic antecedents.