Mercury mine in Idrija was the second largest mine of its kind in the world. However, a quarter of the processed mercury (Hg), one of the most toxic pollutants, ended up in the surrounding countryside. The goal of this study was to determine the concentration of Hg in soil and accumulation capacity of certain plants. Another aspect of the study was focused on the relation between Hg soil pollution and growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Samples of soil and plants were collected on different plots: near the chimney of the foundry, near the river Idrijca, in the gardens above the Antonij's mine entry and in the forest near the chimney. Hg concentrations were determined with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. AM parameters were based on monitoring of a randomly chosen tripan blue stained root fragments under a light microscope. Effects of Hg on growth were determined with Substrate Induced Respiration method. The results showed that Hg concentrations in soil exceeded the critical levels of 10 mg kg-1. The highest concentration of Hg was near the river Idrijca, while the lowest concentration was found in the gardens above the Antonij's mine. The concentration of Hg in plants tissues depended on Hg concentrations in soil, plant species, soil and Hg types. Hg concentrations were higher in the roots than in the shoots. All examined plant species were colonized with AM fungi, however the arbuscule density negatively correlated with increasing Hg concentrations in soil. The highest level of AM colonization and the highest concentration of AM spores were found near the chimney.
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