Abstract
In the present study, mercury (Hg) concentrations were investigated in lichens (Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale, Parmelia saxatilis (L.) Ach., and Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr.) collected in the surrounding of the dismissed Abbadia San Salvatore Hg mine (Monte Amiata district, Italy). Results were integrated with Hg concentrations in tree barks and literature data of gaseous Hg levels determined by passive air samplers (PASs) in the same area. The ultimate goal was to compare results obtained by the three monitoring techniques to evaluate potential mismatches. Lichens displayed 180–3600 ng/g Hg, and Hg concentrations decreased exponentially with distance from the mine. Mercury concentration was lower than in Pinus nigra barks at the same site. There was a moderate correlation between Hg in lichen and Hg in bark, suggesting similar mechanisms of Hg uptake and residence times. However, correlation with published gaseous Hg concentrations (PASs) was moderate at best (Kendall Tau = 0.4–0.5, p > 0.05). The differences occurred because a) PASs collected gaseous Hg, whereas lichens and barks also picked up particulate Hg, and b) lichens and bark had a dynamic exchange with the atmosphere. Lichen, bark, and PAS outline different and complementary aspects of airborne Hg content and efficient monitoring programs in contaminated areas would benefit from the integration of data from different techniques.
Highlights
Mercury (Hg) is a widespread contaminant of much concern due to its high toxicity, persistence, and accumulating behavior in the environment [1]
Comparison of Hg contents in epiphytic lichens and Pinus nigra barks with gaseous Hg concentrations in air calculated from passive air samplers (PASs) data at the same locations in the Monte Amiata area led to the following conclusions: barks accumulated higher Hg per unit mass with respect to lichens of the same area
There was an overall good agreement between lichen and bark data, suggesting similar mechanisms of Hg uptake and residence times a significant fraction of Hg in bark and lichens was likely present in the particulate form due to soil resuspension
Summary
Mercury (Hg) is a widespread contaminant of much concern due to its high toxicity, persistence, and accumulating behavior in the environment [1]. In the reduced form (Hg0 ), Hg displays long residence times in the atmosphere and a consequent ability to be transported over long distances, making it a global scale pollutant [2]. The coming into force of the Minamata convention requires the proper monitoring of airborne Hg contents in order to reduce Hg anthropogenic. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 2353; doi:10.3390/ijerph17072353 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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