Transpiration Stream Concentration Factor Research Articles

In vivo tracing of organophosphorus pesticides in cabbage (Brassica parachinensis) and aloe (Barbadensis)

In vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling method coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was employed to trace the uptake and elimination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in two kinds of edible plants, cabbage (Brassica parachinensis) and aloe (Barbadensis). The metabolism of fenthion in aloe was also investigated by the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis (LC–MS/MS) to understand the fate of OPPs in living plants better. Transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF) and depuration rate constants of the OPPs in living plants were obtained therein. The health risk of the OPPs treated aloe was estimated by the maximum residue limit (MRL) approach, and it revealed that the OPPs were rather safe for their fast degradable property. However, peak concentration of fenthion-sulfoxide was found to exceed the MRL and was higher than that of the parent fenthion, which indicated the potential risk of pesticide metabolites. This study highlighted the application of in vivo SPME for contaminant tracing in different living edible plants. The in vivo tracing method is very convenient and can provide more data to evaluate the risk of different pesticides, which are very important for the safety of agriculture production.

Differential uptake and translocation of β-HCH and dieldrin by several plant species from hydroponic medium.

To compare the uptake and translocation of hydrophobic organic chemicals by plant species, the authors performed uptake experiments with β-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) and 1,2,3,4,10,10-Hexachloro-6,7-epoxy-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-endo-1,4-exo-5,8-dimethanonaphthalene (dieldrin) using 5 species: Hordeum vulgare, Glycine max, Solanum lycopersicum, Brassica oleracea, and Cucurbita pepo. The present study evaluated uptake ability using root concentration factor (RCF) and translocation ability by transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF). The RCFs of β-HCH and dieldrin did not differ remarkably among species, except that the RCF of β-HCH in B. oleracea was high. The TSCFs of β-HCH and dieldrin were high in C. pepo, which was not superior in uptake as estimated by RCF. The TSCF of dieldrin in C. pepo was decreased in darkness and was markedly decreased by heating of roots. These results support the hypothesis that transport proteins produced in the root contribute to dieldrin translocation. In contrast, TSCF of β-HCH was not decreased by these treatments. Therefore, translocation of β-HCH might not need the contribution of transport proteins. It is possible that C. pepo has a certain function to transport hydrophobic organic chemicals smoothly in root tissues.

Investigating differences in the root to shoot transfer and xylem sap solubility of organic compounds between zucchini, squash and soybean using a pressure chamber method

A pressure chamber method was used to examine differences in the root to shoot transfer and xylem sap solubility of caffeine (log Kow=−0.07), triclocarban (log Kow=3.5–4.2) and endosulfan (log Kow=3.8–4.8) for zucchini (cucurbita pepo ssp pepo), squash (cucurbita pepo ssp ovifera), and soybean (glycine max L.). Transpiration stream concentration factors (TSCF) for caffeine (TSCF=0.8) were statistically equivalent for all plant species. However, for the more hydrophobic endosulfan and triclocarban, the TSCF values for zucchini (TSCF=0.6 and 0.4, respectively) were 3 and 10 times greater than the soybean and squash (TSCF=0.2 and 0.05, respectively). The difference in TSCF values was examined by comparing the measured solubilities of caffeine, endosulfan and triclocarban in deionized water to those in soybean and zucchini xylem saps using a modified shake flask method. The measured solubility of organic contaminants in xylem sap has not previously been reported. Caffeine solubilities in the xylem saps of soybean and zucchini were statistically equal to deionized water (21500mgL−1) while endosulfan and triclocarban solubilities in the zucchini xylem sap were significantly greater (0.43 and 0.21mgL−1, respectively) than that of the soybean xylem sap (0.31 and 0.11mgL−1, respectively) and deionized water (0.34 and 0.11mgL−1, respectively). This suggests that the enhanced root to shoot transfer of hydrophobic organics reported for zucchini is partly due to increased solubility in the xylem sap. Further xylem sap characterization is needed to determine the mechanism of solubility enhancement.

Root Uptake and Translocation of Perfluorinated Alkyl Acids by Three Hydroponically Grown Crops

Tomato, cabbage, and zucchini plants were grown hydroponically in a greenhouse. They were exposed to 14 perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) at four different concentrations via the nutrient solution. At maturity the plants were harvested, and the roots, stems, leaves, twigs (where applicable), and edible parts (tomatoes, cabbage head, zucchinis) were analyzed separately. Uptake and transfer factors were calculated for all plant parts to assess PFAA translocation and distribution within the plants. Root concentration factors were highest for long-chain PFAAs (>C11) in all three plant species, but these chemicals were not found in the edible parts. All other PFAAs were present in all above-ground plant parts, with transpiration stream concentration factors (TSCFs) of 0.05-0.25. These PFAAs are taken up with the transpiration stream and accumulate primarily in the leaves. Although some systematic differences were observed, overall their uptake from nutrient solution to roots and their further distribution within the plants were similar between plant species and among PFAAs.

Transport and Assimilation of Ferricyanide by Three Willow Species

Uptake, bioaccumulation, and assimilation of ferricyanide by three different species of willows was investigated. Intact prerooted weeping willows (Salix babylonica L.), Hankow willows (Salix matsudana Koidz), and hybrid willows (S. matsudana Koidz × alba L.) were grown hydroponically and treated with ferricyanide at 25.0 ± 0.5 °C for 144 h. Willows without leaves were also investigated as a treatment to quantify effect of transpiration on transport and assimilation of ferricyanide. Dissociation of ferricyanide to free cyanide in solution in absence of light was negligible. Phytotransport of ferricyanide was apparent. The phytoremoval rate of ferricyanide obtained varied with willow species (p < 0.05). Remarkable decreases in the removal rate were detected with the trees without leaves compared with the intact trees (p < 0.01). Due to small amounts of the applied ferricyanide recovered in plant materials, ferricyanide removed from the hydroponic solution was largely assimilated by plants. Transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF) was also estimated using the content of iron (Fe). These information suggests that phytodegradation is a major process involved in botanical assimilation of ferricyanide through an undefined degradation pathway.

Uptake of perfluorinated alkyl acids by hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

An uptake study was carried out to assess the potential human exposure to perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) through the ingestion of vegetables. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was grown in PFAA-spiked nutrient solutions at four different concentrations, ranging from 10 ng/L to 10 μg/L. Eleven perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and three perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSAs) were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. At the end of the experiment, the major part of the total mass of each of the PFAAs (except the short-chain, C4-C7, PFCAs) taken up by plants appeared to be retained in the nonedible part, viz. the roots. Root concentration factors (RCF), foliage/root concentration factors (FRCF), and transpiration stream concentration factors (TSCF) were calculated. For the long chained PFAAs, RCF values were highest, whereas FRCF were lowest. This indicates that uptake by roots is likely governed by sorption of PFAAs to lipid-rich root solids. Translocation from roots to shoots is restricted and highly depending on the hydrophobicity of the compounds. Although the TSCF show that longer-chain PFCAs (e.g., perfluorododecanoic acid) get better transferred from the nutrient solution to the foliage than shorter-chain PFCAs (e.g., perfluoroheptanoic acid), the major fraction of longer-chain PFCAs is found in roots due to additional adsorption from the spiked solution. Due to the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the fluorine atoms the role of the negative charge of the dissociated PFAAs is likely insignificant.

Ecophysiology of nickel phytoaccumulation: a simplified biophysical approach

Solute active transport or exclusion by plants can be identified by the values of the Transpiration Stream Concentration Factor (TSCF=xylem:solution solute concentration ratio). The aim of this study was to estimate this parameter for Ni uptake by the Ni-hyperaccumulator Leptoplax emarginata or the Ni-excluder Triticum aestivum cultivar 'Fidel'. The Intact Plant TSCF for nickel (IPTSCF(Ni)) was calculated as the ratio between the nickel mass accumulation in the leaves and the nickel concentration in solution per volume of water transpired. Predominantly, Ni active transport occurred for L. emarginata, with IPTSCF(Ni) values of 4.7-7.2 and convective component proportions of the root Ni uptake flow of only 15-20% for a range of Ni concentrations in solutions of 2-16 µmol Ni l(-1), regardless of the growth period and the time of Ni uptake. Hyperaccumulator roots were permeable to both water and nickel (mean reflection coefficient for Ni, σ(Ni), of 0.06), which was mainly attributed to an absence of exodermis. Results provide a new view of the mechanisms of Ni hyperaccumulation. By contrast, the wheat excluder was characterized by an extremely low mean IPTSCF(Ni) value of 0.006, characterizing a predominantly Ni sequestration in roots. From a methodological viewpoint, the 'microscopic' TSCF(Ni), measured directly on excised plants was 2.4 times larger than its recommended 'macroscopic' IPTSCF(Ni) counterpart. Overall, IPTSCF and σ determined on intact transpiring plants appeared to be very useful biophysical parameters in the study of the mechanisms involved in metal uptake and accumulation by plants, and in their modelling.

Integrated Dynamic Modeling of Contaminant Fate and Transport within a Soil–Plant System

Contaminants found in the soil and in the atmosphere frequently find their way into plants. Because plants are at the bottom of the food chain, analysis of this pathway contributes to health risk assessment studies. On the other hand, plants that exist at a contaminated site have a potential effect on contaminant transformation and migration within the soil or the atmosphere. In this study, a modeling framework was developed to integrate the plant pathway into soil contaminant transport models. A soil–plant system model was developed by coupling soil moisture distribution, contaminant transport, plant life cycle, and plant pathway models. The outcome unifies single‐medium continuous models with multimedia compartmental models in a flexible framework. The framework recognizes that plants are dynamic biologic systems that regulate their life cycle in interaction with existing conditions in the ambient environment, which significantly influence the dynamics of the overall complex system. The model developed was applied to a hypothetical contamination scenario where the effect of plants on contaminant migration within the system was investigated. Also, the outcome of the plant pathway as it responds to water flow and contaminant transport dynamics was analyzed. A mass balance analysis found that the processes of volatilization and root water uptake are very critical in determining the contaminant fate within the system. A sensitivity analysis showed that the contaminant concentration within the plant is significantly affected by the variation in the values of the retardation factor, transpiration stream concentration factor, and contaminant half‐life within the plant. The outcome of these applications reflects the effect of multiple levels of complexity associated with plant growth and root water uptake representations within the soil.

Bioconcentration factor estimates of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in grains of corn plants cultivated in soils treated with sewage sludge

This study presents a model to simulate the organic substance concentrations in corn grains assuming that the substances in soil solution are absorbed via the transpiration stream by plants growing in soils fertilized with sewage sludge (SS). The model was applied and validated using soil and corn grain samples from a long-term field experiment with six successive yearly applications of SS to the soil. The following polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were simulated and evaluated in soil and grain samples: acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, anthracene, benz(a)anthracene, benz(a)pyrene, benz(b)fluoranthene, benz(g,h,i)perylene, benz(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, fluoranthene, fluorene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene, naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene. The PAH bioconcentration factors ( BCF) in corn grains ranged from 1.57 to 10.97 L kg − 1 . Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with low soil distribution coefficients and high values of transpiration stream concentration factors ( TSCF) are more likely to be absorbed by corn plants and accumulated in grains. It was possible to estimate and observe that highly lipophilic PAH molecules (heavy PAHs) show lower accumulative potential in corn grains than the less lipophilic ones (light PAHs). Sewage sludges containing significant concentrations of light PAHs with two, three or four benzene rings should be avoided as fertilizers in alimentary field crops.

Intrinsic bioavailability of 14C-heptachlor to several plant species

To investigate the intrinsic bioavailability of heptachlor to various plant species, the root of each test plant was treated with hydroponic solution containing 14C-heptachlor for 72 hr. The levels and nature of 14C-residues in roots and shoots of treated plants were determined to estimate the values of the root concentration factor (RCF) and the transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF). RCF and TSCF values ranged from 126 (corn) to 4086 (lettuce) and 0.052 (Chinese cabbage) to 0.494 (zucchini), respectively. In pumpkin and zucchini, unmetabolized heptachlor itself was translocated from the root to the shoot via a transpiration stream and no further extensive metabolism was observed. cis-Heptachlor epoxide was the predominant metabolite in the shoots of tomato, cabbage, Chinese cabbage and lettuce. Less metabolism of cis-heptachlor epoxide was suggested in the shoots of these plants.

Uptake by roots and translocation to shoots of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in typical crop plants

Root uptake and subsequent translocation of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in 12 agricultural crops were comparatively investigated. All crop plants were exposed hydroponically to a mixture of three kinds of dioxin congeners over 4 d. The root concentration factor (RCF) of dioxin showed a logarithmic correlation with extractable lipid content in plant root. On the assumption that the dioxin escaping via gas phase from nutrient solution in the closed container can evenly diffuse in the air and equally absorb onto the shoot tissues of the dioxin-exposed plant and their nearby blank control plant, the amount of translocated dioxin was estimated by subtracting dioxin content in the shoot tissues of the blank control plant from that of the dioxin-exposed plant, and then the transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF) of dioxin was calculated. The TSCF values of PCDD/Fs largely varied according to the plant species, and the TSCF values of 2,4,8-TrCDF were a little higher than those for 1,3,6,8-TeCDD expect for zucchini. For 1,3,6,8-TeCDD, zucchini had the highest TSCF value of 0.0089, followed by pumpkin (0.0064) towel gourd (0.0027), and cucumber (0.0010), verifying plants of the genus Cucurbita have the higher abilities of dioxin translocation. The TSCF values of 1,3,6,8-TeCDD for wheat and sorghum were 0.0013 and 0.0012, respectively. For maize, soybean, rice, Chinese cabbage, tomato and garland chrysanthemum, translocation was an insignificant mechanism of dioxin contamination in shoot tissues.

Chemical Hydrophobicity and Uptake by Plant Roots

The transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), the ratio between a compound's concentration in the xylem to that in the solution adjacent to the roots, is commonly used to describe the relative ability of an organic compound to be passively transported from root to shoot. Widely cited bell-shaped curves relating TSCFto the octanol/water partition coefficient (log Kow) imply that significant root uptake and transfer into shoot tissues occurs only for compounds falling within an intermediate hydrophobicity range. However, recent laboratory and field data for relatively water soluble compounds such as sulfolane, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and 1,4-dioxane suggest that these relationships are not universally applicable, especiallyfor nonionizable, highly polar, water soluble organics. To re-evaluate the relationship between root uptake and chemical hydrophobicity, TSCFs were measured for 25 organic chemicals ranging in log Kow from -0.8 to 5 using a pressure chamber technique. Using the TSCF values measured in this study, a new empirical relationship between TSCF (0 and 1) and log Kow (-0.8 to 5) is presented that indicates that nonionizable, polar, highly water soluble organic compounds are most likely to be taken up by plant roots and translocated to shoot tissue.

Evidence for Phytodegradation of MTBE from Coupled Bench-Scale and Intermediate-Scale Tests

This paper presents methodologies and demonstrates the need to couple bench-scale and intermediate tree-scale experiments, to fully understand the transport and fate of organic contaminants, specifically methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE), in mature trees. Bench-scale experiments showed MTBE to be optimally taken up by small poplar saplings with a transpiration stream concentration factor of approximately 1, little or no degradation in soils and, nearly 100±20% recovery in the coupled water-plant-air system, indicating no measurable phytodegradation at the bench-scale. A large 14 ft tree chamber was designed to evaluate MTBE transport and fate through intermediate-scale ( 12 ft tall) poplar trees. Abiotic MTBE volatilization tests conducted in the tree chamber showed 100±20% MTBE mass recovery, thereby demonstrating the integrity of the large chamber and its air monitoring technique. In contrast, replicate intermediate-scale experiments conducted with large (12 ft) trees irrigated with a known mass of MTBE sh...

Pesticide bioconcentration modelling for fruit trees

The model presented allows simulating the pesticide concentration evolution in fruit trees and estimating the pesticide bioconcentration factor in fruits. Pesticides are non-ionic organic compounds that are degraded in soils cropped with woody species, fruit trees and other perennials. The model allows estimating the pesticide uptake by plants through the water transpiration stream and also the time in which maximum pesticide concentration occur in the fruits. The equation proposed presents the relationships between bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the following variables: plant water transpiration volume ( Q), pesticide transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), pesticide stem-water partition coefficient ( K Wood,W), stem dry biomass (M) and pesticide dissipation rate in the soil–plant system ( k EGS). The modeling started and was developed from a previous model “ Fruit Tree Model” (FTM), reported by Trapp and collaborators in 2003, to which was added the hypothesis that the pesticide degradation in the soil follows a first order kinetic equation. The FTM model for pesticides (FTM-p) was applied to a hypothetic mango plant cropping ( Mangifera indica) treated with paclobutrazol (growth regulator) added to the soil. The model fitness was evaluated through the sensitivity analysis of the pesticide BCF values in fruits with respect to the model entry data variability.

Uptake of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from Water by Phreatophytes in the Absence and Presence of Perchlorate as a Co-Contaminant†

The uptake and fate of the emerging contaminants N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and perchlorate in phreatophytes was studied in a hydroponics system under greenhouse conditions. NDMA is a potent carcinogen, and perchlorate disrupts the functioning ofthe human thyroid gland. The rate of removal of NDMA from solution by rooted cuttings of black willow (Salix nigra) and hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides x nigra, DN34) trees varied seasonally, with faster removal in summer months when transpiration rates were highest. A linear correlation between the volume of water transpired and mass of NDMA removed from the root zone was observed, especially at higher NDMA concentrations. In bioreactors dosed with both NDMA (0.7-1.0 mg L(-1)) and perchlorate (27 mg L(-1)), no competitive uptake of NDMA and perchlorate was observed. While NDMA was primarily removed from solution by plant uptake, perchlorate was predominantly removed by rhizodegradation. In the presence of NDMA, a slower rate of rhizodegradation of perchlorate was observed, but still significantly faster than the rate of NDMA uptake. For experiments conducted with radiolabeled NDMA, 46.4 +/- 1.1% of the total 14C-activity was recovered in the plant tissues and 47.5% was phytovolatilized. The 46.4 +/- 1.1% recovered in the plants was distributed as follows: 18.8 +/- 1.4% in leaves, 15.9 +/- 5.9% in stems, 7.6 +/- 3.2% in branches, and 3.5 +/- 3.3% in roots. The poor extractability of NDMA with methanol-water (1:1 v/v) from stem and leaf tissues suggested that some fraction of NDMA was assimilated. The calculated transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF) of 0.28 +/- 0.06 suggests that NDMA is passively taken up by phreatophytes, and mainly phytovolatilized.

Uptake, metabolism, and toxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in weeping willows

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a high volume production chemical and the most commonly used gasoline oxygenate. Uptake, metabolism and toxicity of MTBE in trees were investigated in this study. Pre-rooted weeping willows ( Salix babylonica L.) were exposed to hydroponic solution spiked with MTBE and incubated at 25.0 ± 1 °C for 168 h. The normalized relative transpiration (NRT) rate of weeping willows was used to determine toxicity. MTBE and possible intermediate tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in solution, tissues of aerial parts of plants, and air were analyzed. Results from the toxicity test showed that severe signs of toxicity (the reduction of the NRT ≥35%) were only found at the treatment group with high doses of MTBE 400 mg L −1. Neither chlorosis of leaves nor large reduction in the NRT was observed at MTBE exposure to weeping willows ≤200 mg L −1. Almost all applied MTBE was removed from the hydroponic solution by plants in all treatment groups. Small amounts of MTBE were detected in the plant tissues, but a large fraction of the applied MTBE was found in the air through plant transpiration. Mass balance studies showed that MTBE was assimilated into the plants from hydroponic solution but was not metabolized during transport in the plant. Phytovolatilization was the only relevant removal process for MTBE. Transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), an important parameter for design of engineered MTBE phytoremediation systems, was estimated to be 1.12. In conclusion, although this compound is persistent to the attack by plant enzymes, atmospheric MTBE is much more susceptible to photo-oxidation for decomposition. Phytoremediation of MTBE polluted soils and groundwater is an alternative to presently available remediation technologies.

Uptake of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates by crested wheatgrass

Nonylphenol (NP) and other hydrophobic biodegradation intermediates of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) surfactants have been identified in wastewater treatment biosolids. These biosolids often are land applied, but little is known regarding the potential uptake of biosolid-derived contaminants by plants. Hydroponic experiments, 11 to 14 weeks in duration, were conducted to examine the uptake and translocation of 14C and unlabeled NP, nonylphenol tetraethoxylate (NPE4), and nonylphenol nonylethoxylate (NPE9) by crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). Phenol also was evaluated for comparison. Plant tissue was analyzed for 14C and for the parent compounds. Volatilization from the hydroponic system and rhizosphere mineralization also were quantified. At the conclusion of the study, most of the plant-associated 14C was found in the roots (NP = 98%, NPE4 = 92%, and NPE9 = 81%). Concentrations of 14C in the foliar tissue ranged from 0.002 to 0.045 mg-equivalent per kg (dry wt), but no parent compounds were detected, implying that the 14C was unextractable or in the form of metabolites. Transpiration stream concentration factors for NP, NPE4, and NPE9, calculated assuming the 14C was parent compound, were 0.012, 0.032, and 0.066, respectively. Little mineralization was observed for NP, NPE4, and NPE9 in the hydroponic system; however, for phenol, 16 to 30% of the added 14C was mineralized.

Uptake of sulfolane and diisopropanolamine (DIPA) by cattails ( Typha latifolia)

Sulfolane (tetrahydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide, C 4H 8O 2S) and diisopropanolamine (DIPA) are highly water-soluble organic compounds used in the Sulfinol™ process to remove hydrogen sulfide from natural gas and have been found in samples of wetland vegetation collected near a sour gas processing facility in Alberta, Canada. Concentrations within individual plants and between plants at different locations within the wetland varied greatly but were generally higher than expected, based on exposure concentrations and plant uptake predictions using octanol/water partition coefficients. To better understand the uptake of these highly water-soluble compounds by wetland plants and to substantiate the field findings, the uptake of sulfolane and DIPA by cattails ( Typha latifolia) was investigated in a greenhouse microcosm study. Cattails were grown hydroponically in aqueous solutions containing sulfolane and DIPA for a period of 50 days. Non-planted and non-planted poisoned hydroponic systems were run simultaneously as controls. Sulfolane and DIPA concentrations in the hydroponic solution and plant tissues were monitored throughout the study. Uptake and translocation of sulfolane and DIPA by cattails were found to be a function of exposure concentration and water transpired. However, the neutral sulfolane was translocated into the foliar portion of the cattails to a significantly greater extent than the protonated DIPA. Sulfolane concentrations were consistently greatest in the leaf tips with concentrations as high as 33,000 mg/kg dry weight for the 200 mg/L exposure. DIPA leaf concentrations were more uniform but much lower than sulfolane. The highest DIPA concentration observed was 1014 mg/kg dry weight for the 100 mg/L exposure. The average leaf to root tissue concentration ratio for sulfolane was 53 (152 for leaf tips), while for DIPA the ratio was 0.6. Normalizing the leaf concentration in each system to the amount of water transpired during exposure and dividing it by the average exposure concentration yielded approximate transpiration stream concentration factors (TSCF) that ranged from 0.1 (entire leaf) to 0.9 (leaf tip) for sulfolane and < 0.01 to 0.02 for DIPA. Overall, the laboratory uptake trends matched those observed in the limited field sampling and suggest that the uptake of non-ionizable, highly water-soluble organics such as sulfolane may not be well predicted using existing relationships between TSCF and log K ow. In addition, the relatively high concentrations observed in the foliar tissue suggest that wetland plants could play an important role in the natural attenuation of sulfolane, provided the sulfolane is not released by the plants during winter dormancy.

PHYTOEXTRACTION: SIMULATING UPTAKE AND TRANSLOCATION OF ARSENIC IN A SOIL–PLANT SYSTEM

The uptake, transport, and accumulation of metals by plants are functions central to successful phytoextraction. This study investigates the uptake and translocation of arsenic from a contaminated sandy soil by a mature Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittataL.). An existing mathematical model for the coupled transport of water, heat, and solutes in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum (CTSPAC) was modified to examine the flow of water as well as the uptake and translocation of total arsenic in the xylem of the fern. This model was calibrated using greenhouse measurements before its application. Simulation results showed that about 20% of the soil arsenic was removed by the fern in 10 d, of which about 90% of the arsenic was stored in the fronds and 10% in the roots. Although arsenic mass in the plant tissues increased consecutively with time, arsenic concentration in the xylem sap of the root tips has a typical diurnal distribution pattern: increasing during the day and decreasing at night, resulting from daily variations of frond surface water transpiration. The largest difference in simulated arsenic concentration in the root tips between the day and night was about 5%. This study also suggests that the use of transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), which is defined as the ratio of chemical concentration in the xylem sap to that in the external solution, to evaluate the translocation efficiency of arsenic for the hyperaccumulator Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) could be limited.

Experimental study of solute transport and extraction by a single root in soil

The fate of 14C-2,4,6-trinitrotoluene ([U-14C]TNT) in soil/plant systems was studied using onion (Allium cepa L.) plants with only a single root. It was found that the single roots grew exponentially and that the rate of water uptake of the onion plants increased exponentially, as well. The concentration of [U-14C] in the roots at first increased and then appeared to reach a steady state, while the [U-14C] concentration in the leaves was found to increase linearly with time. The [U-14C] concentration in the rhizosphere increased gradually, while in the bulk soil it decreased slowly. The accumulation of [U-14C] in the rhizosphere is likely to difference between movement into the rhizosphere (through advective mass flow of soil water by root uptake) and its uptake into the roots. The distribution of 14C in the soil/plant system was found to be 60–85% in the soil solid phase, 7–11% in the soil liquid phase, <1% in the soil air phase, <1% in the root compartment, and <0.01% in the leaf compartment. The maximum RCF (root concentration factor) value for TNT and its derivates was found to be about 20, and the maximum TSCF (transpiration stream concentration factor) was 0.18. These values can be changed by a variety of factors in soil-plant systems