Distributions and Compositions of Brominated Diphenyl Ethers-209 in Pine Seedlings Inoculated with Ectomycorrhizal Fungi

Abstract

Brominated diphenyl ethers-209 (BDE-209), a toxic and stably retardant, is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and commonly used in daily consumer products. The Cenococcum geophilum and Laccaria amethystina were used to inoculate Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl) seedlings, using root chamber experiments to check their potential for improving host growth and the capacity in establishing in persistent organic pollutants (POPs)-contaminated environments. The results showed that the inoculation with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi significantly (p < 0.01) improved the growth and reduced the concentrations of BDE-209 in needles and stems of pine seedlings planted in polluted soils. The transfer ratio (calculated as the ratio between the concentrations in needles and roots) and the root concentration factor (calculated as the ratio of the concentration in roots to soil) decreased significantly (p < 0.01), when inoculated with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi compared to without. However, inoculated with ECM fungi (EMF) increased the concentration of BDE-209 in tube soil (soil collected from tube where seedlings were grown) significantly (p < 0.01), especially C. geophilum, which has a rich mycelium system. The capability of EMF accumulation and enrichment of BDE-209 in the contaminated soil, from distance to root zone, reduced the risks of the spread and leaching of organic pollutants to the crops around. The pine inoculated with EMF can be considered to have a potential in forestation and remediating BDE-209 contaminated areas by the way of phytostabilisation pollutants.