Mercury Mobilization in a Contaminated Industrial Soil for Phytoremediation

The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of using plants for mercury (Hg) removal from a contaminated industrial soil, increasing the metal's bioaccessibility by using mobilizing agents: ammonium thiosulphate [(NH₄)₂S₂O₃] and potassium iodide (KI). The selected plant species were Brassica juncea and Poa annua. The addition of the mobilizing agents promoted Hg uptake by plants, with respect to controls. Treatments promoted Hg translocation to aerial parts. In the case of Poa annua, greater Hg uptake was found in plants after the 100 mM KI treatment, reaching values that were nearly 400 mg kg^?1 in the aerial part. In contrast, Brassica juncea plants accumulated in their aerial part the greatest Hg quantities, about 100 mg kg^?1, after treatment with 0.27 M (NH₄)₂S₂O₃. The ratio between the concentration of Hg in the shoots and the initial concentration in the soil support the potential for successfully applying Hg phytoextraction on this soil.     

Mercury pollution of effluent,air, and soil near a battery factory in Tanzania

Effluent, air, and soil samples near a battery factory in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where HgCl₂ is used to prevent mold growth, were collected to explore the potential for pollution of the environment from industrial discharge of Hg. Flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for Hg determinations. The concentration of Hg in the effluent ranged from <0.2 to 5.2 mg L^?1 and the Hg concentration varied greatly within and among sampling days, showing different peaks. Air contained a mean of 4.0 μg m^?3 with little variation within and between sampling days. Soils near the factory contained high Hg levels, from 6.7 to 472 mg kg^?1 in the immediate vicinity, the highest level being associated with disposal of solid waste (defective batteries). Downwind the concentration of Hg decreased with increasing distance from the factory resulting in a soil concentration of 1.0 mg Hg kg^?1 about 2 km away. Upwind the Hg concentration decreased drastically within a distance of 100 to 200 m.     

Major controlling factors and prediction models for mercury transfer from soil to carrot

Purpose

Soil-plant transfer models are needed to predict levels of mercury (Hg) in vegetables when evaluating food chain risks of Hg contamination in agricultural soils.

Materials and methods

A total of 21 soils covering a wide range of soil properties were spiked with HgCl₂ to investigate the transfer characteristics of Hg from soil to carrot in a greenhouse experiment. The major controlling factors and prediction models were identified and developed using path analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis.

Results and discussion

Carrot Hg concentration was positively correlated with soil total Hg concentration (R ²?=?0.54, P?<?0.001), and the log-transformation greatly improved the correlation (R ²?=?0.76, P?<?0.001). Acidic soil exhibited the highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) (ratio of Hg concentration in carrot to that in soil), while calcareous soil showed the lowest BCF among the 21 soil types. The significant direct effects of soil total Hg (Hg_soil), pH, and free Al oxide (Al_OX) on the carrot Hg concentration (Hg_carrot) as revealed by path analysis were consistent with the result from stepwise multiple linear regression that yielded a three-term regression model: log [Hg_carrot]?=?0.52log [Hg_soil]???0.06pH???0.64log [Al_OX]???1.05 (R ²?=?0.81, P?<?0.001).

Conclusions

Soil Hg concentration, pH, and Al_OX content were the three most important variables associated with carrot Hg concentration. The extended Freundlich-type function could well describe Hg transfer from soil to carrot.     

A contribution to the environmental biology of mercury accumulation in plants

Samples of six common plant species collected in the old mining areas near Prince George, British Columbia (Canada) and Mount Amiata, Tuscany (Italy) show remarkable similarities in the variation of plant/soil Hg concentration ratio with soil Hg content irrespective of species or other biological differences. In contrast, plants sampled in the geothermally active areas of New Zealand, Hawaii and around Mount St. Helens exhibit more individuality in the concentration ratio to soil Hg relationship, but the relationships are distinctly different from the mine site specimens. This distinction is particularly evident when the same species of Equisetum and Plantago taken from these two different areas are compared. These and other data support the hypothesis that specific local environmental factors strongly influence the accumulation of Hg in plants even when the immediate soil concentrations are the same. Our findings show that some plants contain concentrations of total Hg as high as 5500 to 14000 μg kg^?1 (dw).     

Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can substantially reduce phosphate fertilizer application to Allium fistulosum L. and achieve marketable yield under field condition

The effects of inoculating arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the growth, phosphorus (P) uptake, and yield of Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) were examined under the non-sterile field condition. Welsh onion was inoculated with the AM fungus, Glomus R-10, and grown in a glasshouse for 58?days. Non-inoculated plants were grown as control. Inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings were transplanted to a field with four available soil P levels (300, 600, 1,000, and 1,500?mg P₂O₅?kg^?1 soil) and grown for 109?days. AM fungus colonization, shoot P concentration, shoot dry weight, shoot length, and leaf sheath diameter were measured. Percentage AM fungus colonization of inoculated plants was 94% at transplant and ranged from 60% to 77% at harvest. Meanwhile, non-inoculated plants were colonized by indigenous AM fungi. Shoot length and leaf sheath diameter of inoculated plants were larger than those of non-inoculated plants grown in soil containing 300 and 600?mg P₂O₅?kg^?1 soil. Shoot P content of inoculated plants was higher than that of non-inoculated plants grown in soil containing 300 and 600?mg P₂O₅?kg^?1 soil. Yield (shoot dry weight) was higher for non-inoculated plants grown in soil containing 1,000 and 1,500?mg P₂O₅?kg^?1 soil than for those grown in soil containing 300 and 600?mg?P₂O₅ kg^?1 soil. Meanwhile, the yields of inoculated plants (200?g plant^?1) grown in soils containing the four P levels were not significantly different. Yield of inoculated plants grown in soil containing 300?mg P₂O₅ kg^?1 soil was similar to that of non-inoculated plants grown in soil containing 1,000?mg P₂O₅?kg^?1 soil. The cost of AM fungal inoculum for inoculated plants was US$ 2,285?ha^?1 and lower than the cost of superphosphate (US$ 5,659?ha^?1) added to soil containing 1,000?mg P₂O₅ kg^?1 soil for non-inoculated plants. These results indicate that the inoculation of AM fungi can achieve marketable yield of A. fistulosum under the field condition with reduced application of P fertilizer.     

Geochemistry of Mercury Along a Soil Profile Compared to Other Elements and to the Parental Rock: Evidence of External Input

The vertical distribution of mercury along a weathering profile derived from a diabase was compared to the main geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of the soil and its parental rock. The sampling site was in a metropolitan area, nearby to an active quarry and relatively close to an industrial park. The samples of a 6-m-deep fresh exposure of the soil profile and also of fresh rock were collected during the dry season. Kaolinite, goethite, hematite, and residual primary minerals were identified in the soil samples. Typically, the concentrations of Hg in the soil are low. Whole samples contained between 1 (rock) and 37 ??g kg^?1 Hg, while the?<?63-??m soil fraction had up to 52 ??g kg^?1 Hg. The higher values of Hg corresponded to the upper layers of A (0?C10 cm) and B (200?C220 cm) soil horizons. Elemental gains and losses calculated against Zr resulted in the following order: Hg>>Pb?>?Zr?>?LREE?>?Nb?>?HREE?>?Al?>?Ti?>?Fe?>?Cr. Total organic carbon in soil samples varied between 0.2 and 5.1 g dm^?3, and correlation with Hg concentrations was moderate. The acid pH (4.2?C5.5) of the soil samples favors the sorption Hg species by predominant secondary phases like goethite and kaolinite. The Hg concentration of the rock is insufficient to explain the large enrichment of Hg along the soil profile, indicating that exogenic Hg, via atmospheric deposition, contributed to the measured Hg concentrations of the soil.     

Atmospheric Deposition and Re-Emission of Mercury Estimated in a Prescribed Forest-Fire Experiment in Florida, USA

Prescribed fires are likely to re-emit atmospherically deposited mercury (Hg), and comparison of soil Hg storage in areas affected by prescribed fire to that in similar unburned areas may provide cross-validating estimates of atmospheric Hg deposition. Prescribed fires are common in the southeastern United States (US), a region of relatively high Hg deposition compared to the rest of the US, and are thus a potentially significant source of re-emitted atmospheric Hg. Accordingly, Hg was determined in soil layers of a prescribed fire experiment in a Florida longleaf pine forest. The Hg deficit in the annually burned forest floor relative to the forest floor unburned for 46 years (0.180 g ha^?1?yr^?1) agreed to within 5% of an independent estimate of Hg deposition for this site based on a regional monitoring network and computer model (0.171 g ha^?1 yr^?1). Consideration of other potential inputs and outputs of Hg suggested that atmospheric deposition was the primary input of Hg to the site. If extrapolated, these results suggest that prescribed fires in the southeastern US mainly re-emit atmospherically deposited Hg and that this re-emission is less than 1% of total US anthropogenic emissions. However, emissions at other sites may vary due to the possible presence of Hg in underlying geological strata and differences in fire regime and levels of atmospheric Hg deposition.     

Partitioning of Hg Between Solid and Dissolved Organic Matter in the Humus Layer of Boreal Forests

The mobility of mercury (Hg) deposited on soils controls the concentration and toxicity of Hg within soils and in nearby streams and lakes, but has rarely been quantified under field conditions. We studied the in situ partitioning of Hg in the organic top layer (mor) of podsols at two boreal forest sites differing in Hg deposition and climatic regime (S. and N. Sweden, with pollution declining to the north). Soil solution leaching from the mor layer was repeatedly sampled using zero-tension lysimeters over 2 years, partly in parallel with tension lysimeters. Concentrations of Hg and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were higher while pH was lower at the southern site (means ± SD: Hg?=?44?±?15 ng L^?1, DOC?=?63.0?±?31.3 mg L^?1, pH?=?4.05?±?0.53) than at the northern site (Hg?=?22?±?6 ng L^?1, DOC?=?41.8?±?12.1 mg L^?1, pH?=?4.28?±?0.43). There was a positive correlation over time between dissolved Hg and DOC at both sites, even though the DOC concentration peaked during autumn at both sites, while the Hg concentration remained more constant. This correlation is consistent with the expected strong association of Hg with organic matter and supports the use of Hg/C ratios in assessments of Hg mobility. In the solid phase of the overlying O_f layer, both Hg concentrations and Hg/C ratios were higher at the southern site (means ± SD: 0.34?±?0.06 μg g^?1 dw and 0.76?±?0.14 μg g^?1 C, respectively) than at the northern site (0.31?±?0.05 μg g^?1 dw and 0.70?±?0.12 μg g^?1 C, respectively). However, concentrations in the solid phase differed less than might be expected from the difference in current atmospheric input, suggesting that the fraction of natural Hg is still substantial. At both sites, Hg/C ratios in the upper half of the mor layer were only about two thirds of those in the lower half, suggesting that the recent decrease in anthropogenic Hg deposition onto the soil is offset by a natural downward enrichment of Hg due to soil decomposition or other processes. Most interestingly, comparison with soil leachate showed that the average Hg/C ratios in the dissolved phase of the mor layers at both sites did not differ from the average Hg/C ratios in the overlying solid organic matter. These results indicate a simple mobilisation with negligible fractionation, despite differences in Hg deposition patterns, soil chemistry and climatic regimes. Such a straight-forward linkage between Hg and organic matter greatly facilitates the parameterisation of watershed models for assessing the biogeochemical fate, toxic effect and critical level of atmospheric Hg input to forest soils.     

Mercury concentrations in an aquatic ecosystem during twenty years following abatement the pollution source

Phenyl Hg was widely used as a slimicide in Finnish pulp industry until the end of 1967. The use of Hg caused a significant increase of Hg levels in fish in several areas. High concentrations were measured in Lake Kirkkojärvi in Hämeenkyrö, SW Finland. Vast amounts of Hg are still present in the lake sediments. Since 1968 uncontaminated fibres have partly covered the contaminated layers. Since 1971 Hg has been monitored in fish, sediments and aquatic plants in the water course downstream from the pulp and paper factory. The Hg concentration of a 1-kg pike (Esox lucius) has decreased from 1.5 µg g^?1 in the years 1971–74 to 0.8 µg g^?1 in 1990.     

Interim environmental guidelines for cadmium and mercury in soils of China

A nationwide program is underway in China to establish environmental guidelines with respect to metal levels in soil. There are several factors considered in the formulation of these guidelines but the three major ones are: 1) the soil background content, 2) land use capability, and 3) ecological effect. The guidelines for Hg and Cd in soils of China are formulated based on soil samples collected from 26 provinces (n = 20,300) and by investigating the high background values in 4 mineralized areas. Based on land use capability, the environmental guidelines can be divided into four levels representing: 1) natural or pristine areas, 2) agricultural and pastoral areas, 3) forested areas, and 4) urban and waste disposal areas. The corresponding values are 0.10, 0.20, 0.50, 1.0 mg kg^?1 for Hg; and 0.15, 0.30, 0.50, 1.0 (2.0 for calcareous paddy soil) mg kg^?1 for Cd.

     

Sequential and Selective Extraction of Copper in Different Soil Phases and Plant Parts from Former Industrialized Area

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for all living organisms; however, excess amounts in soil, plants, and food have negative impacts on the environment and human health. The aim of this study was to determine Cu levels in different chemical phases of soils and the relationship between Cu levels in soil phases and concentrations in plants. Soils and plants grown in these soils from an industrialized area in Turkey were analyzed using a selective and four-stage sequential extraction procedure. Copper levels in exchangeable fractions were found up to 658 mg kg^?1 while total levels were in the range of 133–5609 mg kg^?1. Copper concentrations in plant parts (roots and stem) were in the range of 2.6–240 mg kg^?1. The exchangeable forms of Cu were in the range of 3–22% of total Cu concentrations. The relationships were observed between soil Cu and Rumex plant Cu, and soil Cu and root of Brassicasea plant Cu.     

Temperature determinants of plant-soil-air mercury relationships

Using the Arrhenius thermodynamic equation, which relates rates of processes to temperature through the quantity E _a , the ‘Heat (or Energy) of Activation’, we have evaluated the thermal relationships for several parameters of Hg cycling. It is shown that release from isolated leaves (shoots) of Hg⁰ is a two-step process with a higher E _a value below 21 °C than above (28 vs 14 kcal mol^?1). Open field air Hg measurements over a mixed stand of grasses and other plants in volcanic soil show strikingly similar behavior to detached organs. Mercury release from volcanic soil was uniform over a wide temperature range, resembling plant and open field emissions above 18 to 21°C with anE _a value of 13 kcal · mol^?1. We conclude that Hg release below 18 to 21 °C is limited by a physiological process, whereas above that range, release is controlled by the physical process of vaporization itself. Plant concentration of total Hg from 5 to 33 °C (air temperature), is a more complex function involving direct accumulation and re-release of Hg⁰ from the atmosphere, release from tissue storage, and root uptake with reduction.     

Bioaccumulation of Lead by Indian Mustard in a Loamy Sand Soil Artificially Contaminated with Lead: Impact on Plant Growth and Uptake of Metal

In a screen-house study, the effects of artificially contaminating the soil with lead (Pb) at levels ranging from 0 to 1500 mg kg^?1 soil on the growth and uptake of Pb and micronutrients by Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] grown on a loamy sand soil (Typic Ustorthent) were investigated. The crop was grown for 60 days with adequate basal fertilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and dry matter was recorded. The plants were analyzed for total Pb and micronutrients, and the soil was analyzed for diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Pb. The DTPA-extractable Pb measured before sowing of Indian mustard increased consistently and significantly with increase in rates of Pb application to soil. It increased from 0.65 mg kg^?1 in the control to 199.8 mg kg^?1 in soil treated with 1500 mg Pb kg^?1 soil. Significant reduction in the dry-matter yield of Indian mustard occurred with Pb applications of 500 mg kg^?1 soil and greater. The concentration as well as uptake of Pb by Indian mustard increased significantly over control at all rates of its application. It increased from 9.4 μg pot^?1 in the control to 220.6 μg pot^?1 at Pb application of 1500 mg kg^?1 soil. Applications of Pb to the soil decreased the concentration of micronutrients in plants, but a significant reduction occurred only for iron at rates greater than 500 mg Pb kg^?1 soil. However, the uptake of iron, manganese, and copper registered a significant decline at Pb application of 500 mg kg^?1 and greater and that of zinc at 750 mg kg^?1 and greater. In a Typic Ustorthent soil, a DTPA-extractable Pb level of 59.5 mg kg^?1 and plant content of 44.2 μg Pb g^?1 dry matter was found to be the upper threshold levels of Pb for Indian mustard. This study suggests that once the soil is contaminated by Pb, it remains available in the soil for a long time, and such soils, if ingested with food crops, may be a significant source of Pb toxicity to both humans and grazing animals.     

Metal concentrations in the ground water of the Ouachita Mountains,Arkansas, U.S.A.

Ninety-one ground water samples (predominantly from springs) in two mineralized areas of the Ouachita Mountains in west-central Arkansas, were analyzed for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, Hg, Sb, Sr, Ba, Ca, and Li. These areas contain Mn, barite, strontianite, cinnabar, stibnite and scattered Pb-Zn mineralization, Cumulative frequency curves were used to determine the threshold and anomalous concentrations for each element in the two areas. These values were, in general, higher in the ground water from the more mineralized area for several of the base metals, but most notably for Mn and Fe, the principal metals in the Mn oxide minerals. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 1976) criteria for Fe (300 μg L ^?1) and Mn (50 μg L^?1) in drinking water were exceeded, respectively, in 34% and 30% of the springs in Area I, and 13% and 23% in Area II. One spring exceeded the EPA Hg criterion (2 μg L^?1) and 3 springs exceeded the 50 μg L^?1 criterion for Pb. In spite of the large number of anomalous Ba concentrations, the highest concentration of Ba was 930 μg L^?1 (EPA criterion 1000 μg L ^?1).     

Potential of Borago officinalis, Sinapis alba L. and Phacelia boratus for Phytoextraction of Cd and Pb from Soil

Heavy metal phytoextraction is a soil remediation technique, which makes use of plants in removing contamination from soil. The plants must thus be tolerant to heavy metals, adaptable to soil and climate characteristics, and able to take up large amounts of heavy metals. Most of the high biomass productive plants such as, maize, oat and sunflower are plants, which do not grow in cold climates or need intensive care. In this study three “weed” plants, Borago officinalis; Sinapis alba L. and Phacelia boratus were investigated for their ability to tolerate and accumulate high amounts of Cd and Pb. Pot experiments were performed with soil containing Cd and Pb at concentrations of up to 180 mg kg^?1 and 2,400 mg kg^?1 respectively. All three plants showed high levels of tolerance. Borago officinalis; and Sinapis alba L. accumulated 109 mg kg^?1 and 123 mg kg^?1 Cd, respectively at the highest Cd spiked soil concentration. Phacelia boratus reached a Cd concentration of 42 mg kg^?1 at a Cd soil concentration of 100 mg kg^?1. In the case of Pb, B. officinalis and S. alba L. displayed Pb concentrations of 25 mg kg^?1 and 29 mg kg^?1, respectively at the highest Pb spiked soil concentration. Although the Pb uptake in P. boratus reached up to 57 mg kg^?1 at a Pb spiked soil concentration of 1,200 mg kg^?1, it is not suitable for phytoextraction because of its too low biomass.     

Polluted precipitation and the geochronology of mercury deposition in lake sediment of northern Minnesota

Elevated Hg levels in game fish from wilderness lakes in northern Minnesota led to the present study of sediment cores from two lakes to ascertain the source and history of Hg deposition. Natural background levels of Hg were found to range from 0.03 to 0.06 μg g^?1, with cultural levels as high as 0.16 μg g^?1. Reconstructed geochronologies reveal a dramatic two-fold increase in Hg flux, from 0.008 to 0.017 μg cm^?2 yr^?1, occuring after the year 1880, suggesting an anthropogenic influence. No industrial or geologic source of Hg is found in the study watersheds. The entire historical increase in Hg flux can be accounted for by atmospheric loading provided that 1/5 of all the Hg presently supplied to the watershed via precipitation is ultimately deposited in lake sediment. Hg levels in fish are not correlated with Hg levels in lake sediment, although there is a link to acid-sensitivity of lake water, amount of acid-neutralizing geologic material exposed in the watershed, and watershed area/lake volume ratio. Thermal stratification of lake water and a complexation-adsorption mechanism are proposed to account for variations in Hg levels observed in sediment collected from different sites.     

Impact of anthropogenic activity on the Hg concentrations in the Piracicaba river basin (São Paulo State, Brazil)

A sampling and analysis program has been completed between 1995 and 1998 in order to determine mercury concentrations in water, sediments, soils and fish in the Piracicaba river basin, one of the most populated and industrialized regions in Brazil. In sediment, the average Hg concentrations varied between 33 ± 17 ng g^?1 and 106 ± 78 ng g^?1, in samples collected during the rainy and dry season, respectively. The same averages were also found for soil samples (35 ± 14 and 109 ± 61 ng g^?1). In water, the total Hg concentration varied between < 1.1 and 24.0 ng L^?1. In piscivore fish, up to 943 μ g Hg kg^?1 was found. Our results show that all compartments undergo Hg contamination, in view of the levels found in pristine environments. Water contamination seems to be due mainly to diffuse processes of soil erosion and suspension of river bed sediment during the rainy season. Also untreated wastewaters generated by industrial activities and from domestic sewage appear to be potential non-point sources in the most industrialized and populated part of the basin. On the other hand, atmospheric transport of mercury originating from the Campinas Metropolitan Region could be another source of mercury contamination, especially in the basin headwaters.     

Building upon the Conceptual Model for Soil Mercury Flux: Evidence of a Link Between Moisture Evaporation and Hg Evasion

Parameters known to influence mercury (Hg) release from soils include substrate and air Hg concentration, light, atmospheric oxidants, temperature, and soil moisture. However, for low Hg-containing soils, the influence of these parameters has been shown to vary across space and time. Here, we expand upon previous work by investigating whether soil–water evaporative loss, which integrates the influence of multiple parameters, could be applied for predicting Hg flux from soil with low Hg concentrations when bare and planted. To investigate our hypothesis, Hg flux was measured from three soil types (<100 ng Hg g^?1). When these soils were saturated, flux was suppressed. Soil moisture evaporative stage was used to partition the parameters most important for controlling Hg flux as the soils dried. Classification and regression tree (CART) analyses showed that soil moisture was the most important parameter predicting Hg flux. Results also showed an important predictor for Hg flux was whether actual evaporation (E _a) was equal to potential evaporation (E _p) or E _a < E _p. Depending on evaporative stage, the parameters with the next highest correlation to Hg flux were light, temperature, and soil moisture evaporation rate. The presence of vegetation also influenced flux with lower Hg flux when the plants were transpiring. Results indicate for those developing models that estimate Hg flux from low Hg-containing soils, soil moisture and evaporative stage are useful tools for predicting flux.

     

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

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.     

Silicon alleviates mercury toxicity in garlic plants

Abstract

Silicon (Si) can increase plant stress tolerance. Mercury (Hg) is one of the major elements of heavy metal pollution. However, little attention has been paid to the possible effect of Si on Hg toxicity in plants. Here, the effects of Si on growth, photosynthesis, Hg accumulation and antioxidant defense were investigated in garlic grown in pots under Hg stress. Before sowing, Hg and Si were added at 3?mg Kg^?1 and 500?mg Kg^?1, respectively. The treatments included CT (control), Si, Hg and Hg?+?Si. The results showed that in non-stress conditions, added Si did not affect the garlic growth, photosynthetic gas exchange, malonaldehyde concentration or activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves, except that it increased the superoxide dismutase activity. Under Hg stress, the garlic growth, leaf net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpirational rate and superoxide dismutase activity in leaves were all inhibited, while the malondialdehyde concentration was increased; whereas these changes were all reversed in the presence of added Si. Added Si significantly decreased Hg concentrations in the root, bulb and shoot, and it also decreased exchangeable Hg level in the soil. These results suggest that Si could alleviate Hg toxicity in garlic through improving antioxidant defense ability, and decreasing Hg availability in soil and thus Hg uptake.