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Evaluation of Dissipation Mechanisms for Benzo[a]pyrene in the Rhizosphere of Tall Fescue
Author(s) -
Banks M. K.,
Lee E.,
Schwab A. P.
Publication year - 1999
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/jeq1999.00472425002800010036x
Subject(s) - pyrene , festuca arundinacea , chemistry , environmental chemistry , rhizosphere , volatilisation , benzo(a)pyrene , soil contamination , agronomy , phalaris arundinacea , festuca , soil water , environmental science , poaceae , biology , soil science , ecology , organic chemistry , genetics , bacteria , wetland
Although polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are common contaminants in soil and are potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic, little is known about their fate in the soil/root environment. The impact of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreber) on chemical and biological transformations of benzo[a]pyrene in soil was investigated in a greenhouse experiment in which 14 C‐benzo[a]pyrene was added to soil and placed in sealed chambers with and without plants. The distribution of 14 C in soil, plant tissue, and CO 2 was quantified. Dissipation due to mineralization and volatilization accounted for <2% of the total 14 C added in both planted and unplanted chambers and was greater in the presence of plants. Plant uptake of 14 C was <0.12%. Residual benzo[a]pyrene was lower in soil with plants (44%) than in the absence of plants (53%). The majority of the 14 C label was associated with the soil matrix. The presence of plants enhance the degradation of highly adsorbed, recalcitrant benzo[a]pyrene in soil.