Mercury (Hg) is an extremely toxic pollutant that poses global environmental
and human health risks (Selin, 2009). During the last twocenturies
anthropogenic emissions of Hg, e.g. from chlor-alkali plants
(Biester et al., 2002) and coal power stations (Kabata-Pendias, 2001)
significantly exceeded the emission/inputs of natural sources (Peralta-
Videa et al., 2009) resulting in severe soil contamination (Selin, 2009).
Despite such contamination many of these sites are still being used for
agriculture and pasture without a proper evaluation of Hg distribution
and speciation in soils and without an assessment of risks to animals
and humans. To assess such risks, it is imperative to consider the speciation
of Hg, both in soils and in crops.