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Abstract
An investigation of the magnitude and rate of Hg accumulation by a rooted aquatic plant—Myriophyllum spicatum L. (watermilfoil)—from solution culture and from Hg-contaminated lake sediments was conducted. As determined by solution culture experiments, Hg accumulation was much greater with inorganic than organic Hg carriers. Mercury accumulation from nutrient solution was rapid and approached maximum values in 2 hours. Organo-Hg compounds were more available than inorganic compounds from lake sediments likely because of precipitation of inorganic Hg as sulfides. Mercury accumulates in rooted aquatic plants by physical adsorption and by metabolic uptake and translocation, the latter occurring mainly with organo-Hg compounds. Rooted aquatic plants might prove to be an important link in the uptake and cycling of Hg derived from contaminated sediments.
