The uptake and in-vivo migration of Hg by plants: a critical review

In the environmental cycle of mercury (Hg), plants link the atmosphere, soil sphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, serving as important sites for Hg transformation and translocation across these domains. The absorption and migration of Hg by plants play a critical role in the natural or environmental cycle of Hg. In this review, we outlined the existing technical methods for studying Hg behaviours involving plants, summarized the uptake pathways of Hg by different plant tissues from the environment, analyzed the transformation processes of Hg in plants and its various migration pathways, and demonstrated the changes in the source-sink relationship of Hg between plants and the environment. Additionally, we highlight knowledge gaps in existing research concerning the mechanisms of Hg transformation processes in plants, the role of marine plants in the environmental cycle of Hg, and the impact of global change on Hg cycle. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current research on the relationship between Hg and plants, facilitating a quick understanding of the research progress and highlighting potential directions for future studies.