The project involves the study of the bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg) in agricultural species and in fruit and vegetables products for human or animal consumption. The study area refers to soils belonging to the Isonzo river basin, which have values higher than the legal limits of Hg (DM 46/2019).

It must be kept in mind that the study area naturally has higher mercury values compared to the background, due to the transport of sediments by the Isonzo river, rich in Hg, coming from waste of Idria mine activities in Slovenia. During past floods, Hg was deposited in the area surrounding the river and, given the low mobility of this metal, concentrations higher than the regional background are still detected nowadays.

For all elements, including Hg, the concentration is not an indication of danger. In fact, Hg in the region is often in the form of cinnabar, which is not mobile and not easily uptaken by plants and organisms. Nevertheless, there are no specific studies aimed at proving the lack of its mobility and the absence of risk. The activity of our group therefore aims to verify the mobility of mercury in the soil, and its effects on the microbial soil biomass as well as on plants. Furthermore, our experimentation addressed the combined use of fertilizers and soil amendments, to verify a possible positive effect of reduction on Hg bioaccumulation.

A further objective of this experimental work is the evaluation of the influence of salinity on mercury mobility and consequent bioavailability, in soils without or with the addition of various amendments. The experimentation involves laboratory tests, mesocosm studies (simulating the condition in the open field) and on-site pilot experiments, in collaboration with local farms (in the province of Gorizia).