Mercury pollution in vegetables, grains and soils from areas surrounding coal-fired power plants

Li, Rui; Wu, Hongmiao; Ding, Jing; Fu, Weimin; Gan, Longzhan; Li, Yi

doi:10.1038/srep46545

Cited by 163 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…In Germany [48], soil mercury levels exceeded the maximum regulation limits in bean roots and carrot shoots planted in gardens situated in the area of a mine dump. Li et al [49] reported that soil, vegetable, and grain samples collected from field locations within 10 km distance from coal-fired power plants in China, had significantly higher mercury concentrations than the samples purchased from a grocery store away from any power plant. 79 % of vegetable samples and 67 % of grain samples exceeded the upper limit of allowable mercury level.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury accumulation in plants from contaminated arable lands in Eastern Slovakia

Kimáková¹,

Vargová²,

Onačillová³

et al. 2020

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction and Objective. Contamination of soil by mercury poses several risks to human health through consumption of fruits and vegetables. In Slovakia, a high concentration of mercury is found in the soil of the Central Spiš region. The objective of the study is to measure the mercury concentrations in the parts of selected plant species and trees growing within 100 meters of a former ore processing facility. Materials and Method. A total of 24 samples of plants, 20 samples of parts of needle-leaved trees and 9 samples of parts of broad-leaved trees were collected from soils with a high concentration of mercury. The concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in different parts of the plants: leaves -18 species, roots -15 species, stems -11 species, flowers -7 species), and different parts of trees (crust -8 species, branches -8 species, needles -5 species, cones -5 species, leaves -3 species). Results. The concentrations of mercury in the soils taken at a depth of 0.25 m exceeded the maximum allowed levels more than 50-times. Potatoes, parsley and carrots from these soils exceeded the maximum allowed mercury levels 6-times, 5-times and twice, respectively. The average concentrations of mercury in the roots of 2-year onions exceeded the limit more than 50-times. The flowers of cornflower contain 18.20 mg . kg -1 , leaves of dandelion 10.61 mg . kg -1 and roots of plantain 6.80 mg . kg -1 of mercury. Regarding trees, the highest concentrations were found in the branches of juniper and leaves of aspenmore than 1 mg . kg -1 . Conclusions. The systematic monitoring of mercury is still very important, since it was found that the end of ore processing does not solve the issue of contamination in the Central Spiš region. Therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables from the areas of former ore processing facilities is not recommended.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury accumulation in plants from contaminated arable lands in Eastern Slovakia

Kimáková¹,

Vargová²,

Onačillová³

et al. 2020

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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“…Hg pollution also arises from the nonferrous metal, coal, and cement industries, and mine-tailing waste ( Figure 1). Discharge of Hg to the atmosphere results in contamination of soil, water, and vegetation before re-release through volatilization ('latent emission') [11], with soil chemistry and groundwater characteristics directly affecting the distribution and concentration of contamination [12]. Environmental risks are determined by the bioavailability of Hg [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These mine sites include Poboya, Palu city (6.5 mg Hg kg -1 ) [18]; Sumalata District, North Gorontalo Regency (up to 1.31 mg kg -1 ) [17]; and Buru Island, Maluku (0.08 mg kg -1 ) [16]. Plant samples from the Kaili coal mining region, China, and the Idrija mercury mine area, Slovenia, have high average Hg contents of 0.88 and 12.7 mg kg -1 , respectively [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury in Soil and Forage Plants from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Bombana Area, Indonesia

Basri¹,

Sakakibara

Sera

2020

Toxics

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Mercury (Hg) contamination in soil and forage plants is toxic to ecosystems, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the main source of such pollution in the Bombana area of Indonesia. Hg contamination in soil and forage plants was investigated by particle-induced X-ray emission analysis of samples collected from three savannah areas (i.e., ASGM, commercial mining, and control areas) in the Bombana area. Hg contents of forage plants in the ASGM area (mean 9.90 ± 14 µg/g) exceeded those in the control area (2.70 ± 14 µg/g). Soil Hg contents (mean 390 ± 860 µg/g) were also higher than those in the control area (mean 7.40 ± 9.90 µg/g), with levels exceeding international regulatory limits. The Hg contents of 69% of soil and 78% of forage-plant samples exceeded critical toxicological limits. Thus, the Hg levels observed in this study indicate that contamination extending over large areas may cause major environmental problems.

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“…Another study conducted around the power plant, China by Li, results showed that vegetable leaves contain high concentration of Hg, which collated significantly with the amount present in soils. These authors finally concluded that the long term consumption of mercury loaded vegetables would pose a health risk to the consumers [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Health Risk and Elemental Concentrations in Minjingu Vegetables and Soils by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence

Koleleni

Tafisa

2019

AJARR

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The samples of soil and selected species of vegetables (cowpea leaves, spinach, sweet potato leaves, Ethiopian mustard and Chinese cabbages) were randomly collected from four sites, Idara ya maji, Nkaiti, Mbulungu and Mkwajuni of Minjingu village of Manyara in Tanzania. The samples were analyzed by means of wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry to determine the heavy metal concentrations in soils and vegetables of the field study with emphasis on their health risk index (HRI) assessment. The results indicate that soils have concentration range of 142-1547 for Ca, 737-2515 for K, 2396-4748 for Si, 0-121 for P, 0-181 for Mg, 0-36 for S, 0-68 for Na, 561-942 for Al, 121-4748 for Fe, 0-80 for Mn, 0-53 for Sr, 0-37 for Cs and 0-11 for Ni in mg/kg which was above the maximum tolerable limits(MTL). Elements detected in vegetables were in the range of 2123-6122 for Ca, 747-8005 for K, 65-996 for Si, 40-348 for Mg, for Mn, 85-584 for P, 22-705 for S, 0-218 for Na, 70-835 for Fe, 23-286 for Al, 0-98 for Cs, 84-1076 for Cl and 0-13 for Ni in mg/kg. The highest heavy metal retention capability was exhibited in Cowpea leaves, Spinach and Chinese cabbages but sweet potato leaves and Ethiopian mustard has shown lower concentrations. Control site recorded the least concentration values. The HRI values for Sr, Ni and Fe in vegetables exceeded the maximum threshold limits (HRI>1) set by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The findings of this work indicates that soils and vegetables grown, particularly cowpea leaves, spinach and Chinese cabbages were extremely contaminated at levels able to pose detrimental health effects to the consumers. Therefore the consumption of cowpea leaves, spinach and Chinese cabbages should be reduced to the maximum if not abandoned. But limited quantities of Ethiopian mustard and sweet potato leaves can be taken while immediate steps are taken to reduce anthropogenic activities at the polluting site. This situation makes the regular monitoring of the grown vegetables a compulsory act.

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Mercury pollution in vegetables, grains and soils from areas surrounding coal-fired power plants

Cited by 163 publications

References 48 publications

Mercury accumulation in plants from contaminated arable lands in Eastern Slovakia

Mercury accumulation in plants from contaminated arable lands in Eastern Slovakia

Mercury in Soil and Forage Plants from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Bombana Area, Indonesia

Assessment of Health Risk and Elemental Concentrations in Minjingu Vegetables and Soils by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence

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