Biogeosciences
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Articles | Volume 22, issue 20
Articles | Volume 22, issue 20
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5591-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5591-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 22, issue 20
Research article
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20 Oct 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 20 Oct 2025

Mercury contamination in staple crops impacted by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM): stable Hg isotopes demonstrate dominance of atmospheric uptake pathway for Hg in crops

Excellent O. Eboigbe, Nimelan Veerasamy, Abiodun M. Odukoya, Nnamdi C. Anene, Jeroen E. Sonke, Sayuri Sagisaka Méndez, and David S. McLagan

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The role of Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining emissions and the uptake of Hg in biota are key research questions in global Hg cycling. The presented work focuses on an understudied region in Nigeria. It results from a successful international collaboration with local researchers from a region with high Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining emissions and deserves the attention of the scientific community.
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Air, soil, and three common staple crops were assessed at an artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) processing site, and mercury (Hg) contamination was observed at a farm ≈ 500 m from the processing site. Of the crop tissues examined, foliage had the highest concentrations. Mercury stable isotopes indicate uptake of mercury from the air to the foliage as the dominant uptake pathway. Using typical dietary data for Nigerians, Hg intake from these crops was below reference dose levels and generally safe for consumption.
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