PHYTOACCUMULATION OF MERCURY INTO VASCULAR PLANTS AT AREA OF ABANDONED Hg-ORE DEPOSIT MALACHOV (CENTRAL SLOVAKIA)

Abstract

The study is focused on Hg content in topsoil of dump-field Veľká Studňa, nearby former mining area Malachov and its accumulation by selected plants, which consisted of the local representatives of grass, herb, and wood species. The study area was divided into several parcels, based on physiognomic features of plant communities. In the order to predict the Hg distribution for the whole study area, the interpolation methods were used in GIS. The plant material consists of 4 plant species: Calamagrostis epigejos, Lotus corniculatus, Leontodon hispidus and Picea abies. The samples were dried, grained, dissolved in HNO3 and HCl solution and consequently measured by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Hg content. The results show a mass contamination of the dump top-soil horizon by mercury. The values in soil variable from 16 to 910 mg kg-1. The bioaccumulation potential of some investigated plant species can be considered as significant as well. The highest concentration of Hg was found in Picea abies ─ 24 mg kg-1. With the regard to presented data, the dump-field could be assigned as the risk enclave for the local environment and therefore its study is demanding. Applying proper techniques for investigations of bioavailable forms of mercury in the topsoil samples should be also considered.