Uptake and tissue distribution of mercury in some plant species collected from a contaminated area in India: Its ecological implications

A study was made of the pattern of distribution of mercury in the tissues of some plant species collected around a chlor-alkali factory in India. Different plants accumulated different levels of mercury in their tissues. Accumulation in leaves was the highest, followed by the stem and the root and, in some cases, the root and the stem. A significant correlation was noted between the mercury concentration of the soil and the plant tissues and between different tissues. Grazers (goats, sheep) also accumulated significant levels of mercury in their tissues.