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Evaluation of Mercury Contamination in Fungi Boletus Species from Latosols, Lateritic Red Earths, and Red and Yellow Earths in the Circum-Pacific Mercuriferous Belt of Southwestern China

Summary

This research examined mercury contamination in wild mushrooms growing in southwestern China, finding that mushrooms from areas with naturally high mercury in the soil contained elevated levels of this toxic metal. The study has important implications for food safety and public health. Key impacts on everyday life: – People who frequently consume wild mushrooms from these regions should be aware of potential mercury exposure risks – Local food safety guidelines may need updating based on these findings – Environmental monitoring of mercury levels in food sources becomes more important – Foraging locations should be chosen carefully to avoid high-mercury areas – Regular consumers of wild mushrooms may need to limit their intake from affected regions

Background

Mercury is a ubiquitous trace element in the Earth’s crust, with some regions having soils enriched in HgS due to geochemical anomalies causing mercuriferous belts. The surface layer of forest and mountain topsoils worldwide is also usually enriched in Hg due to atmospheric deposition from anthropogenic sources. This anthropogenic enrichment of mercury in the organic layer of topsoils is a serious environmental concern, with potential negative impacts on both the environment and human health.

Objective

To evaluate mercury contamination levels in 21 species of Boletus mushrooms collected from 32 locations across Yunnan Province and 2 locations in Sichuan Province, China, and to assess the relationship between soil mercury levels and mushroom contamination in these regions.

Results

Highly elevated levels of mercury were found in all Boletus samples from Yunnan but not in samples from Sichuan. Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.13 to 22 mg/kg dry matter in caps and 0.12 to 8.4 mg/kg in stipes. Particularly high levels were found in B. aereus (up to 13 mg/kg), B. edulis (up to 22 mg/kg), B. luridus (up to 11 mg/kg), and B. purpureus (up to 16 mg/kg). Soil mercury levels ranged from 0.034 to 3.4 mg/kg dry matter. Strong positive correlations were found between soil and mushroom mercury concentrations.

Conclusion

Mercury levels in Boletus species from Yunnan were significantly elevated compared to background levels, with B. edulis showing particularly high concentrations. The strong correlation between soil and mushroom mercury levels suggests that geogenic mercury from the mercuriferous belt is the dominant source of contamination rather than anthropogenic sources. While most samples had mercury levels below concerning thresholds for consumption, some specimens contained levels that could pose health risks if consumed frequently.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Field Study,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143608
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