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Effects of root morphology and Hg concentration in the soil on uptake by terrestrial vascular plants

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Abstract

Vascular plant tissues of various species growing on flood plain soils along the South River at Waynesboro, VA. have previously been shown to contain Hg. These soils characteristically contain 10–20μg Hg g−1. In the field, root/rhizome Hg content inAsclepias syriaca andSolidago sp. ranged from undetectable amounts at low Hg control sites to 1.96μg Hg gdw−1 at contaminated sites, with the association being inversely related to subterranean organ size. Within each size class, tissue Hg was directly related to soil Hg concentration. The relationship of subterranean organ size and enhanced Hg association was further substantiated by high levels of Hg in the fibrous root systems of grasses grown under greenhouse conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, James Madison University, 22807, Harrisonburg, VA

    D. Cocking, M. Rohrer, R. Thomas, J. Walker & D. Ward

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  1. D. Cocking
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  2. M. Rohrer
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  3. R. Thomas
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  4. J. Walker
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  5. D. Ward
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Cocking, D., Rohrer, M., Thomas, R. et al. Effects of root morphology and Hg concentration in the soil on uptake by terrestrial vascular plants. Water Air Soil Pollut 80, 1113–1116 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189773

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189773

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