An Evaluation of Mercury Accumulation Dynamics in Tree Leaves Growing in a Contaminated Area as Part of the Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of Turda, Romania

Marin Senila (), Cerasel Varaticeanu, Simona Costiug and Otto Todor-Boer
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Marin Senila: National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cerasel Varaticeanu: National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Simona Costiug: National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Otto Todor-Boer: National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: Mercury (Hg) poses a significant threat to human health and ecosystems, garnering increased attention in environmental studies. This paper evaluates the dynamics of Hg accumulation in various common tree leaves, specifically white poplar, linden, and cherry plum, throughout their growing season. The findings offer valuable insights into air quality and the ability of urban vegetation to mitigate mercury pollution in urban areas. A case study was conducted in Turda, a town in northwestern Romania, where a former chlor-alkali plant operated throughout the last century. Although the plant ceased its electrolysis activities over 25 years ago, the surrounding soil remains contaminated with mercury (Hg) due to the significant amounts released during its operation. The results indicated that the Hg concentration varied between 2.4 and 7.3 mg kg −1 dry weight (dw), exceeding the intervention threshold for soil of 2.0 mg kg −1 . Additionally, the Hg content in the leaf samples consistently increased over time, influenced by leaf age and tree species. The Hg content increased in the following order: cherry plum < white poplar < linden. On average, white poplar leaves accumulated 72 ng Hg g −1 dw, linden leaves 128 ng Hg g −1 dw, and cherry plum leaves 47 ng Hg g −1 dw during the six-month monitored period from April to September. The results obtained can be used to evaluate the potential of different tree species for mitigating atmospheric Hg contamination and to elaborate on the suitable management of fallen leaves in the autumn.

Keywords: mercury pollution; mercury in air; mercury in soil; chlor-alkali plant; air cleaning; urban forest (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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