The Mercury Concentration in Particular Parts of Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) in different Areas of Slovakia

The main aim of the presented work was determination of the mercury concentration in particular parts of the plant Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) in the chosen areas of Slovakia.

We monitored mercury (Hg) presence in plant Taraxacum officinale (n=53) and we also analyzed the soil. For finding the concentration of mercury in some commodities we used the analytic method for stating mercury by fireless atomic absorption spectrometry AAS AMA 254 [1].

Findings were put into 3 groups from zero level up to permissible limit. 2 samples were put within the span of 0.01mg/kg, within 0.01mg/kg up to 0.02mg/kg Hg, there were 5 samples and in the last one from 0.02mg/kg up to 0.03mg/kg there were 11 samples. Samples over the limit 0.03mg/kg contained to 35. The measured values of samples were in the scale from 0.01mg/kg up to 7.05mg/kg Hg. Analysing the plants we measured the mercury concentration in the roots, stalks and leaves. We found nearly linear dependence between the amounts of mercury in particular parts of the plant. The lowest concentration was in roots –0.00037mg/kg, the higher one in stalks within 4.83mg/kg and 6.65mg/kg and the highest concentration was measured in leaves –11.56mg/kg. In all plants from soil contaminated by Hg amounts over the limited concentration of Hg were measured [2].

We have to take into account that the soil is important and the amount of mercury is important as well as the distribution of mercury in the parts of a plant. That is the reason why it is important to continue monitoring the mercury concentration in medicinal plants.

References: [1] Handbook – AAS AMA 254. (1998) Praha. [2] Kimáková T., Bernasovská K. (2005): Slovak Veterinary Journal. XXX:6. 369–371p.