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Biological Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Amazonian Rain Forest
Author(s) -
Wilcke Wolfgang,
Amelung Wulf,
Martius Christopher,
Garcia Marcos V. B.,
Zech Wolfgang
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1522-2624(200002)163:1<27::aid-jpln27>3.0.co;2-e
Subject(s) - phenanthrene , environmental chemistry , perylene , naphthalene , amazonian , chemistry , botany , ecology , amazon rainforest , biology , organic chemistry , molecule
Abstract Hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) widely occur in the environment and are believed to be mainly anthropogenic. Here we present strong indications for large biological sources of the PAHs naphthalene, perylene, and possibly also phenanthrene in the Amazonian basin. Termite nests, plant wood, and soils were sampled. Naphthalene is detected in plant wood and is accumulated in the nests of termites from the genus Nasutitermes . Perylene is found in all studied termite nests including six different genera. Phenanthrene occurs at substantial concentrations in wood, soil, and termite nests.