Mercury in vegetation of the Mount Amiata area (Italy)

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Chemosphere; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-6535(86)90555-2· OSTI ID:5089525

Bargagli, R; Barghigiani, C; Maserti, B E

In the mercury mining area of Mount Amiata metal contents were determined in plant parts of Pinus nigra, Cedrus atlantica and Cytisus scoparius, in lichens and in soil. Mercury concentrations were higher in vegetation growing on spoil banks of abandoned roasted cinnabar than near geothermal power plants. Green plant parts accumulated mercury to a greater extent than branch and root wood, and a mercury concentration increase was found in ageing pine and cedar needles. Moreover, in the most contaminated location, mercury contents in cedar needles decreased with the distance from the ground. Considerations and hypothesis were made on mercury uptake by plants in this area.

• Research Organization: Universita di Siena, Italy
• OSTI ID: 5089525
• Journal Information: Chemosphere; (United States), Vol. 15:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
LICHENS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
UPTAKE
SOILS
TREES
AIR POLLUTION
ITALY
LEAVES
MINING
PINES
SPOIL BANKS
ALGAE
CONIFERS
EUROPE
FUNGI
PLANTS
POLLUTION
WESTERN EUROPE
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)