Mercury Content in Selected Organs of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Plants in the Areas With the Elevated Mercury Soil Content in Slovakia

Abstract

PP-31-155 Background/Aims: The main aim of the present paper was assessment of the potato (Solanum tuberosum), assessing mercury content in the particular organs of the plant in chosen foodstuffs because of increased amounts of mercury in the soils in Slovakia when compared with other countries. Heavy metal can be distributed into a human organism by the food chain. Methods: We monitored mercury content in potato tubers (n = 15) and in the soil. The results were evaluated according to mercury limits of domestic norms. To find the concentration of mercury in some commodities, we used the fireless atomic absorption spectrometry—AMA 254. Results: Findings were sorted into 3 groups from zero level of mercury up to permissible limit. Two samples belong within the span up to 0.006 mg kg−1 Hg. Within span of 0.006 up to 0.013 mg kg−1 Hg, there were 4 samples. In the next set of samples, Hg content was from 0.013 up to 0.020 mg kg−1. This group included 6 samples. Three samples analyzed were more than the Hg limit 0.020 mg kg−1. The measured values of samples were in the interval from 0.015 up to 20.018 mg kg−1 Hg. Analyses included selected organs of potato plants: roots, tubers, and leaves of potato plants (S. tuberosum). The lowest concentration was in potato (0.015 mg kg−1) (limit, 0.02 mg kg−1). Higher concentration of Hg was in roots (11.125 mg kg−1). The highest one was measured in tubers (20.018 mg kg−1). In soils samples, Hg content was from 140 up to 480 mg kg−1 Hg (limit, 3 mg kg−1). Conclusion: We have to take into account that the soil chemistry is important factor and the increased amount of mercury poses environmental risks. This is the reason why it is important to continue monitoring of the mercury concentration in medical and cultivated plants.