Uptake and translocation of 14C-Carbamazepine in soil-plant systems

Abstract

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug that is frequently detected in wastewater treatment plants, soil and plants after irrigation with treated wastewater or application of biosolids. However, little information is available on the fate and uptake of CBZ in edible vegetables. In this study, radioautographic visualization of the 14C distribution revealed that 14C-CBZ can be taken up by all three ready-to-eat vegetables. Furthermore, a mass-balance study was conducted to evaluate the dynamic processes of the uptake and translocation of CBZ by 14C labeling. 14C-CBZ was gradually taken up with the growth of vegetables, with maximum uptake ratios of 2.19 ± 0.15, 2.86 ± 0.24 and 0.25 ± 0.05% of applied 14C in celery, carrot and pak choi, respectively. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) based on 14C measurements ranged from 7.6 to 26.1 for celery, 3.6–12.9 for carrot, and 4.4–44 for pak choi. 14C-CBZ was easily translocated from the roots to the leaves and/or stems. The amendment of biosolids had a significant inhibitory effect on the uptake and translocation of 14C-CBZ from soil.