Polychlorinated biphenyl uptake and translation by Spartina alterniflora loisel

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of initial investigation of the role of Spartina alterniora Loisel. in the movement of chlorinated hydrocarbons. 14C-polychlorinated biphenyls and technical Aroclor® 1254 were used for the determinations. The findings demonstrate that Spartina accumulates 14C-radioactivity from sand and organic mud soil systems treated with 14C-PCB's. These findings also demonstrate that this plant has the capacity to accumulate 14C-radioactivity to levels elevated above that in the treated soil. Other experiments with Aroclor® 1254 demonstrate that cogeners of Aroclor® 1254 are present in Spartina stem and root extracts. These experiments also suggest that the chlorinated hydrocarbon uptake process is modulated by the plant and that this results in selective cogener uptake. The selectivity appears to be for the lesser chlorinated components of the commercial mixture. Overall, this study suggests that Spartina may act as an initial vector for mobilization of sediment bound chlorinated hydrocarbons to the estuarine food chain.