In this study we collected 78 soil samples and 40 plant samples (Lolium perenne and Brassica juncea) from agricultural
fields near a contaminated industrial area and evaluated the soil-to-plant transfer of Hg as well as
subsequent trophic transfer. Inorganic Hg (IHg) concentrations ranged from 0.080 to 210 mg kg−1 d.w. in
soils, from0.010 to 84 mg kg−1 d.w. in roots and from0.020 to 6.9 mg kg−1 d.w. in shoots.OrgHg concentrations
in soils varied between 0.20 and 130 μg kg−1 d.w. representing on average 0.13% of the total Hg (THg). In root
and shoot samples OrgHg comprised on average 0.58% (roots) and 0.66% (shoots) of THg. Average bioaccumulation
factors (BAFs) for OrgHg in relation to soil concentrations were 3.3 (for roots) and 1.5 (for shoots).
The daily intake (DI) of THg in 33 sampling sites exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of THg of both cows
(ADI = 1.4 mg d−1) and sheep (ADI = 0.28 mg d−1), in view of food safety associated with THg in animal
kidneys. Estimated DI of OrgHg for grazing animals were up to 220 μg d−1 (for cows) and up to 33 μg d−1
(for sheep).