Potentially toxic elements in basidiomycetes and plants from areas affected by historical mining in Slovakia

Abstract This study examines potentially toxic element contents in basidiomycetes and medicinal plants collected from abandoned mining areas in Eastern Slovakia (Gelnica, Mlynky, Rákoš, Špania Dolina, and Zlatá Idka). Element concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for macromycetes and plants, and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-ES) for soils and sediments. Bioconcentration factors (BCF) and health risk indicators including target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR) were calculated for arsenic and antimony in edible mushrooms. The highest element contents occurred in Echinoderma asperum from Gelnica and Armillaria spp. in Mlynky. THQ values for As, Sb, and Hg exceeded acceptable limits in almost all edible mushrooms, with extreme HI values in Cyanoboletus pulverulentus . At Zlatá Idka, medicinal plants such as Mentha longifolia and Urtica dioica accumulated high As and Sb levels, indicating potential for phytoremediation but rendering them unsuitable for human consumption. Therefore, consumption of edible fungi and medicinal plants from these localities is not recommended due to potential intoxication risks.