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Effects of Sewage Sludge on Di‐(2‐Ethylhexyl) Phthalate Uptake by Plants
Author(s) -
Aranda J. M.,
O'Connor G. A.,
Eiceman G. A.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1989.00472425001800010008x
Subject(s) - lactuca , bioconcentration , phthalate , daucus carota , festuca arundinacea , chemistry , sewage sludge , agronomy , soil water , environmental chemistry , horticulture , sewage , biology , poaceae , bioaccumulation , environmental science , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , ecology
Di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a priority organic pollutant frequently found in municipal sludges. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of sludge on plant uptake of 14 C‐DEHP (carbonyl labeled). Plants grown included three food chain crops, lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.), carrot ( Daucus carota L.), and chile pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) and tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) Net 14 C concentration in plants grown in soil amended with 14 C‐DEHP‐contaminated sludge was independent of sludge rate (at the same DEHP loading) for lettuce, chile fruit, and carrot roots. Net 14 C concentration, however, was inversely related to sludge rate in carrot tops, fescue, and chile plants. Intact DEHP was not detected in plants by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Calculated plant DEHP concentrations (based on measured net 14 C concentrations and DEHP specific activities) were generally correlated better with DEHP soil solution concentrations than with total DEHP soil concentrations. Net 14 C‐DEHP bioconcentration factors were calculated from initial soil DEHP concentration and plant fresh weights. Bioconcentration factors ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 for fescue, lettuce, carrots, and chile, suggesting little DEHP uptake. Additionally, because intact DEHP was not detected in any plants, DEHP uptake by plants was of minor importance and would not limit sludge additions to soils used to grow these crops.