Some science behind the scenes
Mercury chelating plants
Any plant that upon analysis contains mercury, when it has no need of that chemical itself is, by definition capable of chelating the soil.
The following list is from Dr Duke's phytochemical database and contains just some of the plants he found that contained lead upon analysis. The implications are also clear, that it is not safe to eat these plants if they have been grown on contaminated land.
Once the chelation of the land is complete, they need to be disposed of safely, for example placed in a deep pit - an open cast mine for example or other deep hole in the ground - where they cannot resurface and where their contaminants are safely buried.
List of plants containing MERCURY
Species | Part | Lo ppm |
Hi ppm |
Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cinnamomum aromaticum NEES [Lauraceae] | Bark | 60 | 60 | CAL |
Fucus vesiculosus L. [] | Plant | 40 | 40 | PED |
Rhodymenia palmata [] | Plant | 26 | 26 | DUKE1992A |
Lycium chinense MILL. [Solanaceae] | Fruit | 8 | 8 | CAL |
Chondrus crispus (L.) STACKH. [] | Plant | 7 | 7 | PED |
Juncus effusus L. [Juncaceae] | Pith | 1.41 | 1.41 | DUKE1992A |
Arctium lappa L. [Asteraceae] | Root | 1.27 | 1.27 | CAL |
Eucommia ulmoides OLIV. [Eucommiaceae] | Bark | 0.92 | 0.92 | CAL |
Lygodium japonicum (THUNB.) SW. [Schizaeaceae] | Pollen Or Spore | 0.55 | 0.55 | DUKE1992A |
Petroselinum crispum (MILLER) NYMAN EX A. W. HILLL [Apiaceae] | Plant | 0.004 | 0.37 | AAS USG |
Jussiaea repens L. [Onagraceae] | Plant | 0.31 | 0.31 | DUKE1992A |
Celosia cristata L. [Amaranthaceae] | Flower | 0.29 | 0.29 | DUKE1992A |
Sophora angustifolia AIT. [Fabaceae] | Root | 0.27 | 0.27 | DUKE1992A |
Pulsatilla chinensis (BUNGE) REGEL [Ranunculaceae] | Root | 0.22 | 0.22 | DUKE1992A |
Asiasarum heterotropoides MAEK. [Aristolochiaceae] | Root | 0.19 | 0.19 | DUKE1992A |
Asiasarum sieboldii (MIQ.) MAEK. [Aristolochiaceae] | Root | 0.19 | 0.19 | DUKE1992A |
Oryza sativa L. [Poaceae] | Seed | 0.167 | 0.167 | DUKE1992A |
Bupleurum chinense DC. [Apiaceae] | Root | 0.14 | 0.14 | DUKE1992A |
Magnolia denudata DESR. [Magnoliaceae] | Flower | 0.14 | 0.14 | DUKE1992A |
Magnolia fargesii CHENG [Magnoliaceae] | Flower | 0.14 | 0.14 | DUKE1992A |
Magnolia kobus DC. [Magnoliaceae] | Flower | 0.14 | 0.14 | DUKE1992A |
Rheum rhabarbarum L. [Polygonaceae] | Pt | 0.002 | 0.14 | DUKE1992A |
Nardostachys chinensis BATALIN [Valerianaceae] | Rhizome | 0.13 | 0.13 | DUKE1992A |
Acanthopanax gracilistylis W.W.SMITH [Araliaceae] | Root Bark | 0.11 | 0.11 | DUKE1992A |
Sophora subprostrata CHUN & CHEN [Fabaceae] | Root | 0.11 | 0.11 | DUKE1992A |
Spinacia oleracea L. [Chenopodiaceae] | Leaf | 0.003 | 0.11 | AAS |
Amomum xanthioides WALL. [Zingiberaceae] | Seed | 0.1 | 0.1 | DUKE1992A |
Carya illinoensis (WANGENH.) K. KOCH [Juglandaceae] | Seed | 0.1 | 0.1 | DUKE1992A |
Cocos nucifera L. [Arecaceae] | Seed | 0.1 | 0.1 | FUR |
Firmiana simplex (L.) W. F. WIGHT [Sterculiaceae] | Seed | 0.1 | 0.1 | DUKE1992A |
Juglans nigra L. [Juglandaceae] | Seed | 0.1 | 0.1 | FUR |
Pistacia vera L. [Anacardiaceae] | Seed | 0.1 | 0.1 | DUKE1992A |
Plantago asiatica L. [Plantaginaceae] | Plant | 0.1 | 0.1 | DUKE1992A |
Prunus dulcis (MILLER) D. A. WEBB [Rosaceae] | Seed | 0.002 | 0.1 | AAS FUR |
Fraxinus rhynchophylla HANCE [Oleaceae] | Bark | 0.09 | 0.09 | DUKE1992A |
Notopterygium incisum TING. [Apiaceae] | Rhizome | 0.09 | 0.09 | DUKE1992A |
Cistanche salsa (C.A.MEYER) G. BECK [Orobanchaceae] | Plant | 0.08 | 0.08 | DUKE1992A |
Equisetum hyemale L. [Equisetaceae] | Plant | 0.08 | 0.08 | DUKE1992A |
Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI [Lamiaceae] | Root | 0.08 | 0.08 | CAL |
Triticum aestivum L. [Poaceae] | Seed | 0.079 | 0.079 | DUKE1992A |
Zea mays L. [Poaceae] | Seed | 0 | 0.072 | HAM33(4):42 USG |
Albizia julibrissin DURAZZ. [Fabaceae] | Bark | 0.07 | 0.07 | DUKE1992A |
Hordeum vulgare L. [Poaceae] | Sprout Seedling | 0.07 | 0.07 | CAL |
Lycopodium clavatum L. [Lycopodiaceae] | Plant | 0.07 | 0.07 | CAL |
Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus LODD. [Ericaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.07 | DUKE1992A |
Anethum graveolens L. [Apiaceae] | Plant | 0.003 | 0.06 | AAS |
Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) VENT [Moraceae] | Fruit | 0.06 | 0.06 | DUKE1992A |
Cynanchum atratum BUNGE [Asclepiadaceae] | Root | 0.06 | 0.06 | DUKE1992A |
Drynaria fortunei (KUNZE) J. SMITH [Polypodiaceae] | Rhizome | 0.06 | 0.06 | DUKE1992A |
Prunella vulgaris L. [Lamiaceae] | Flower | 0.06 | 0.06 | CAL |
Taraxacum mongolicum HAND.-MAZZ. [Asteraceae] | Plant | 0.06 | 0.06 | DUKE1992A |
Artemisia capillaris THUNB. [Asteraceae] | Plant | 0.05 | 0.05 | DUKE1992A |
Chaenomeles lagenaria KOIDZ. [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0.05 | 0.05 | DUKE1992A |
Corylus avellana L. [Betulaceae] | Seed | 0.004 | 0.05 | AAS FUR |
Cucumis sativus L. [Cucurbitaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.05 | DUKE1992A |
Dendrobium nobile LINDL. [Orchidaceae] | Stem | 0.05 | 0.05 | DUKE1992A |
Pimenta dioica (L.) MERR. [Myrtaceae] | Plant | 0.05 | 0.05 | DUKE1992A |
Solanum tuberosum L. [Solanaceae] | Tuber | 0 | 0.05 | AAS USG |
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus MOENCH. [Caprifoliaceae] | Stem | 0 | 0.05 | DUKE1992A |
Tetrapanax papyrifera (HOOK.) K.KOCH [Araliaceae] | Pith | 0.05 | 0.05 | DUKE1992A |
Daucus carota L. [Apiaceae] | Root | 0.001 | 0.045 | DUKE1992A |
Vigna mungo (L.) HEPPER [Fabaceae] | Seed | 0.045 | 0.045 | DUKE1992A |
Fritillaria thunbergii MIQ. [Liliaceae] | Bulb | 0.04 | 0.04 | CAL |
Lactuca sativa L. [Asteraceae] | Leaf | 0 | 0.04 | DUKE1992A |
Pueraria pseudohirsuta TANG & WANG [Fabaceae] | Root | 0.04 | 0.04 | DUKE1992A |
Vigna radiata (L.) WILCZEK [Fabaceae] | Seed | 0.036 | 0.036 | HAM33(4):42 |
Areca catechu L. [Arecaceae] | Seed | 0.03 | 0.03 | DUKE1992A |
Bletilla striata (THUNB.) REICHB. f. [Orchidaceae] | Tuber | 0.03 | 0.03 | CAL |
Crataegus cuneata SIEB. & ZUCC. [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0.03 | 0.03 | DUKE1992A |
Lonicera japonica THUNB. [Caprifoliaceae] | Flower | 0.03 | 0.03 | DUKE1992A |
Rubus chingii HU [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0.03 | 0.03 | DUKE1992A |
Urtica dioica L. [Urticaceae] | Leaf | 0.005 | 0.028 | AAS |
Apium graveolens L. [Apiaceae] | Root | 0 | 0.027 | AAS |
Juniperus virginiana L. [Cupressaceae] | Shoot | 0 | 0.025 | DUKE1992A |
Pinus echinata MILLER [Pinaceae] | Shoot | 0 | 0.025 | USG |
Quercus stellata WANGENH. [Fagaceae] | Stem | 0 | 0.025 | DUKE1992A |
Pisum sativum L. [Fabaceae] | Seed | 0.001 | 0.024 | DUKE1992A |
Carthamus tinctorius L. [Asteraceae] | Flower | 0.02 | 0.02 | DUKE1992A |
Dioscorea bulbifera L. [Dioscoreaceae] | Rhizome | 0.02 | 0.02 | DUKE1992A |
Eriobotrya japonica (THUNB.) LINDL. [Rosaceae] | Leaf | 0.02 | 0.02 | CAL |
Lophatherum gracile BROGN. [Poaceae] | Plant | 0.02 | 0.02 | DUKE1992A |
Malus domestica BORKH. [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.02 | AAS USG |
Phaseolus vulgaris subsp. var. vulgaris [Fabaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.02 | AAS |
Pyrus communis L. [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.019 | DUKE1992A |
Ribes uva-crispa L. [Grossulariaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.017 | DUKE1992A |
Beta vulgaris subsp. subsp. vulgaris [Chenopodiaceae] | Root | 0 | 0.016 | AAS |
Raphanus sativus L. [Brassicaceae] | Root | 0 | 0.014 | DUKE1992A |
Brassica oleracea var. capitata l. var. capitata L. [Brassicaceae] | Leaf | 0 | 0.013 | AAS USG |
Prunus domestica L. [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.013 | AAS USG |
Sorbus aucubaria L. [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0.001 | 0.011 | DUKE1992A |
Vitis vinifera L. [Vitaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.011 | AAS USG |
Alisma plantago-aquatica L. [Alismataceae] | Rhizome | 0.01 | 0.01 | DUKE1992A |
Anacardium occidentale L. [Anacardiaceae] | Seed | 0.01 | 0.01 | DUKE1992A |
Asparagus lucidus LINDL. [Liliaceae] | Root | 0.01 | 0.01 | DUKE1992A |
Bertholletia excelsa BONPL. [Lecythidaceae] | Seed | 0.01 | 0.01 | FUR |
Brassica napus var. napobrassica var. napobrassica (L.) REICHB. [Brassicaceae] | Root | 0 | 0.01 | AAS |
Gastrodia elata BLUME [Orchidaceae] | Rhizome | 0.01 | 0.01 | DUKE1992A |
Juglans cinerea L. [Juglandaceae] | Seed | 0.01 | 0.01 | DUKE1992A |
Quisqualis indica L. [Combretaceae] | Fruit | 0.01 | 0.01 | DUKE1992A |
Ribes nigrum L. [Grossulariaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.01 | AAS |
Fragaria spp [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.009 | AAS |
Prunus persica (L.) BATSCH [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.007 | DUKE1992A |
Vaccinium macrocarpon AITON [Ericaceae] | Fruit | 0.001 | 0.007 | AAS |
Ribes rubrum L. [Grossulariaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.006 | DUKE1992A |
Rubus chamaemorus L. [Rosaceae] | Fruit | 0.001 | 0.006 | DUKE1992A |
Brassica pekinensis (LOUR.) RUPR. [Brassicaceae] | Leaf | 0 | 0.002 | DUKE1992A |
Cichorium endivia L. [Asteraceae] | Leaf | 0.002 | 0.002 | DUKE1992A |
Lycopersicon esculentum MILLER [Solanaceae] | Fruit | 0.001 | 0.002 | DUKE1992A |
Pastinaca sativa L. [Apiaceae] | Root | 0.001 | 0.002 | DUKE1992A |
Allium cepa L. [Liliaceae] | Bulb | 0 | 0.001 | USG |
Asparagus officinalis L. [Liliaceae] | Shoot | 0.001 | 0.001 | DUKE1992A |
Capsicum annuum L. [Solanaceae] | Fruit | 0.001 | 0.001 | USG |
Citrus paradisi MacFAD. [Rutaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.001 | USG |
Citrus sinensis (L.) OSBECK [Rutaceae] | Fruit | 0 | 0.001 | USG 1/ |
Cucumis melo subsp. ssp melo var.cantalupensis NAUDIN [Cucurbitaceae] | Fruit | 0.001 | 0.001 | USG |
Solanum melongena L. [Solanaceae] | Fruit | 0.001 | 0.001 | DUKE1992A |
Arachis hypogaea L. [Fabaceae] | Seed | DUKE1992A | ||
Armoracia rusticana GAERTN. ET AL. [Brassicaceae] | Root | AAS | ||
Brassica oleracea var. italica L., PLENCK [Brassicaceae] | Leaf | AAS | ||
Citrus reticulata BLANCO [Rutaceae] | Fruit | AAS | ||
Musa x paradisiaca L. [Musaceae] | Fruit | AAS | ||
Rosa canina L. [Rosaceae] | Fruit | AAS | ||
Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.IRWIN & BARNEBY [Fabaceae] | Seed | DUKE1992A | ||
Vaccinium myrtillus L. [Ericaceae] | Fruit | AAS | ||
Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata [Fabaceae] | Seed | JSF55:401 |