Mercury as an important contaminant of environment and its occurrence in the blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) in Sovakia

Aim of the study: Some studies show that concentrated blackcurrant is an effective monoamine oxidase inhibitor, as well as that it contains high level of vitamin C. The main aim of this study was to monitor the mercury concentration in particular parts of the blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) in some areas of Slovakia.

Materials and methods: We monitored mercury presence in blackcurrant (n=30) and the soil. The results were evaluated according to existing domestic norms [1, 2]. To calculate the concentration of mercury in some commodities we used the analytic method for stating mercury by method of fireless atomic absorption spectrometry AMA 254 [3].

Results: The lowest concentration was in wood (0.77231mg.kg^-1). The second lowest one was in samples of leaves (0.96723mg). The concentration of Hg was higher in roots (1.12323mg.kg^-1). The highest one was measured in fruit (3.72111mg.kg-¹). In samples of soil, concentrations varied from 170mg.kg^-1 up to 450mg.kg^-1 Hg.

Conclusion: In all plants growing on soil contaminated by Hg, the concentrations of Hg measured were over-limited. We have to take into account the importance of the amount of mercury in the soil as well as the distribution of mercury in the body of a plant. That is the reason why it is important to continue monitoring the mercury concentration in fruits and medical plants.

References: 1. Codes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of health of Slovak Republic (2004) N^o608/2004–100.

2. The Land Act N^o 220/2004 (Collection of Laws in Slovakia)

3. Handbook – AAS AMA 254 (1998) Praha.