Field derived accumulation and release kinetics of DDTs in plants.
Vegetation plays an important role in influencing the air/surface exchange of semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs). In order to predict the capability of different plant species to capture chemicals from the air, plant-air partition coefficients and kinetic accumulation parameters must be defined. In this study, potted plants of three different species were transferred to the vicinity of a source point for DDT, namely a contaminated area around a former production plant in Italy. Leaves were constantly sampled in order to follow the uptake from air over time. Later, the potted plants were transported to a location characterized by background diffuse air concentrations for the release phase. Coupling the experimental results with a two-compartment accumulation model it was possible to derive the kinetics parameters and the plant-air partition coefficient K(PA) for p,p'-DDT. The logK(PA) (on a mass/volume basis) ranged between 1.7 and 2.2 for the different species. The uncertainties related to the different phenomena involved in a field uptake/release experiment are discussed.
Environmental Modelling Group, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, CO, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.diguardo@uninsubria.it.
Antonio
A
Di Guardo
Environmental Modelling Group, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, CO, Italy.
Luca
L
Nizzetto
Environmental Modelling Group, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, CO, Italy.
Alfonso
A
Infantino
Department of Functional and Structural Biology, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, VA, Italy.
Ilaria
I
Colombo
Department of Functional and Structural Biology, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, VA, Italy.
Elena
E
Saporiti
Centre for Chemicals Management, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
Kevin C
KC
Jones
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003634:DDT / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D027861:Prunus / Q000378:metabolism; D029963:Quercus / Q000378:metabolism; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D003634:DDT