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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
Heavy metal dispersion, persistance, and bioccumulation around an ancient copper mine situated in Anglesey, UK
1Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Centre, School of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK. bob.wilson@ntu.ac.uk
Abstract:
The vicinity of an ancient abandoned copper mine located on the Isle of Anglesey was assessed for the dispersion of copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium into the surrounding environment. Extraction of soil, lichens, cattle feces, and Calluna vulgaris L. (ling) tissue, using aqua regia, was carried out and together with water samples, these were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Atmospheric dispersion and dilution was plotted from the workings to the coast and the resultant dilution ascertained. Evidence of bioaccumulation by plants and animals is presented and partitioning within plants highlighted. The results suggest that atmospheric dispersion has ceased but residual metal concentrations in the soil remain persistent and could present health hazards to animals and humans in the past and in the future.
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