Effect of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide on uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by carrots

Abstract

This is the first study investigating the effect of cationic surfactants on the mobility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aged contaminated soils and on PAH bioaccumulation in tuberous vegetables. In an aerobic soil incubation experiment, 150 mg/kg cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTMAB) decreased the bioavailability of PAHs primarily via immobilization (by 13%). In a carrot pot experiment, the effectiveness of CTMAB to reduce PAH uptake by carrots decreased with time. Accordingly, the bioavailability of PAHs in the soil decreased in the first 90 days and then increased and remained stable until harvest. In the leaching test, the leaching loss of CTMAB (15%) was lower in soils treated with small amounts of CTMAB in several applications than it was in soils (24%) treated once with CTMAB. Therefore, CTMAB, when applied in appropriate doses via addition methods, can effectively reduce the environmental risk of PAH entering humans and livestock through the food chain.