*4.3. Statistical Analysis*

The statistical analysis showed a relationship between the inhibition of *L. sativa* concerning mercury with a significance of *p* < 0.05; this inhibition in the germination of *L. sativa* with this metal was also reported in Chile, where the exposure of the seeds to Hg inhibited their growth [19]. The toxicity caused multiple harmful effects in the seed at the cellular level such as a change in permeability in the cell membrane and the affinity to react with phosphate groups and the sulfhydryl group (SH). When mercury interacts with the SH groups to form the S–Hg–S bonds, it disrupts the stability of the group can affect seed germination and seedling growth whose tissues are rich in SH groups [79].

On the other hand, it was not possible to establish a correlation between the vegetal and the animal model due to the number of samples collected. When comparing the results of the bioassays associating for *D. magna* and *L. sativa*, it was observed that the variability due to the sampling was not simultaneous for every sample and it could be possibly affected by a new spill in the river. Additionally, these are different organisms with different sensitivity to the contaminants present in the Boque River water and there exist other factors that can influence this response. For example, some bacteria can naturally modify mercury (Hg2<sup>+</sup>) by ion methylation forming CH3–Hg<sup>+</sup>, which is more toxic and is incorporated into trophic chains, affecting the animal model more than the vegetable model [80].
