Mercury Bio-Concentration Potential of Larch Bolete, Suillus grevillei, Mushroom

Larch Bolete can be classified as a mushroom species accumulating Hg in the fruiting bodies. Our results did indicate diversity of Hg concentrations (p < 0.05), depending on a site of collection of Larch Bolete fruiting bodies as well as the lack of any statistically significant differences in soil mercury contamination among the examined sites. Values of 1.0 mu g Hg/g dw for pool of caps and 2.0 mu g/g dw for a single cap of Larch Bolete are suggested as threshold concentrations implying Hg baseline level, while greater value could imply contamination due to the site pollution.