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Effect of Thioligands on Plant-Hg Accumulation and Volatilisation from Mercury-contaminated Mine Tailings

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Abstract

This study investigated the effect of thioligands on mercury (Hg) volatilisation and plant accumulation for Brassica junceaplants grown in mine tailings collected from artisanal gold mines in Brazil (the Serra Pelada mine) and China (the Gold Mountain mine). Plants were treated with either (NH4)2S2O3or NH4SCN and enclosed in gas-tight volatilisation chambers. Elemental Hg released from substrates was captured in a two-trap system containing 5 KMnO4dissolved in 2N H2SO4. Mercury accumulation was enhanced in the presence of (NH4)2S2O3 for plants grown in GM tailings. There was no significant increase in the plant-Hg accumulation after application of NH4SCN to the SP tailings. Volatilisation from planted substrates was not affected by the application of thioligands to either GM or SP mine tailings. Mercury volatilisation from planted substrates was significantly higher than from control substrates. Abiotic (photoreduction) and biotic (microbial interactions) factors might be linked to the enhanced plant effect on Hg volatilisation. There was no significant correlation for the Hg mass released from substrates and the amount of Hg uptake by roots and translocated to shoots. Our results indicate that volatilisation and plant-Hg accumulation are two independent processes. Thiosulphate-induced plant-Hg accumulation may be a potential tool for the phytoextraction of Hg contaminated soils but there are risks of groundwater contamination by Hg-containing leachates.

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Abbreviations

(NH4)2S2O3 :

ammonium thiosulphate

NH4SCN:

ammonium thiocyanate

H2O2 :

hydrogen peroxide

KMnO4 :

potassium permanganate

H2SO4 :

sulphuric acid

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil and Earth Sciences, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Fabio N. Moreno, Christopher W. N. Anderson & Robert B. Stewart

  2. The Horticultural and Food Research Institute of New Zealand, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Brett H. Robinson

  3. Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD), Parauapebas, State of Pará, Brazil

    Roberto Nomura

  4. The Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals and Materials, Mineral Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Mory Ghomshei & John A Meech

Authors
  1. Fabio N. Moreno
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  2. Christopher W. N. Anderson
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  3. Robert B. Stewart
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  4. Brett H. Robinson
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  5. Roberto Nomura
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  6. Mory Ghomshei
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  7. John A Meech
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Correspondence to Fabio N. Moreno.

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Moreno, F.N., Anderson, C.W.N., Stewart, R.B. et al. Effect of Thioligands on Plant-Hg Accumulation and Volatilisation from Mercury-contaminated Mine Tailings. Plant Soil 275, 233–246 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-1755-0

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