Mercury accumulator plants with phytoremediation potential in a region of northwestern Colombia.

ABSTRACT: Mercury (Hg) is a toxic and nonessential metal for living organisms, and its environmental contamination poses a global concern. Gold mining is one of the primary sectors responsible for mercury emissions, which contributes significantly to ecosystem pollution. In this study, the natural regeneration of vegetation was evaluated at seven mining sites with varying periods of inactivity, and the accumulation of mercury in plant species was analyzed. Random plots were established at each site, where species were identified and selected to determine mercury concentrations in their tissues and calculate bioconcentration (BCF), translocation (TF), and accumulation (AF) factors. A total of 2505 individuals were identified from 46 species and 20 families, with a predominance of herbaceous species.

SUBMITTER: Chaverra LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12647310 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature