Mercury

Cultivation of Solanum tuberosum in a former mining district for a safe human consumption integrating simulated digestion

“…Regarding the Hg concentrations in different fractions of the edible part samples washed by ultrasonic bath, Hg concentration in potato peel (42 ± 3 µg kg −1 ) was significantly (five times) higher than Hg concentration in the potato flesh (9 ± 2 µg kg −1 ) ( U = 0.00, z = −3.78, P < 0.001, r = −0.85). These concentrations were within the global range stated by Adriano for edible parts of common crops (from <1–300 µg kg −1 dry weight). Regarding the whole plant, the relation between Hg concentrations is as follows: Hg concentration in the tuber was significantly lower (39 times) than in the aerial part, which, in turn, was significantly lower (2.5 times) than the Hg concentration in the root (Fig.…”

“…Nowadays, agricultural farming products and, in particular, the cultivation of potato is widespread in this area as it is a common ingredient used in the local cuisine. Given that Hg and other contaminants can be mobilized and absorbed by plants, their impact in agricultural products from Almadén soils is a concern. The consumption of the edible part of crops could be a pathway by which contaminants might enter the food chain.…”

Influence of heavy metals on nematode community structure in deteriorated soil by gold mining activities in Sibutad, southern Philippines

“…Heavy-metal levels of the present study were lower than the allowable concentrations imposed by regulatory bodies from developed countries (Teh et al, 2016), except Hg when compared to UNEP limits. While the world average Hg levels in soil ranges from 0.01 mg kg -1 to 0.2 mg kg -1 (Adriano, 2001), UNEP (2013) recommends an acceptable range from 0.07 mg kg -1 to 0.3 mg kg -1 . In the present study, all Hg concentrations, except those of S1, exceeded acceptable levels as defined by UNEP (2013), indicating a mining history in all sites except S1.…”