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In situ gradient distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated rhizosphere soil: a field study

  • SOILS, SEC 1 • SOIL ORGANIC MATTER DYNAMICS AND NUTRIENT CYCLING • RESEARCH ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Little information is available heretofore on the gradient distribution of persistent organic pollutants in rhizosphere on a field scale. In this field study, we seek to explore the in situ distribution gradient of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in rhizosphere soil proximal to the roots.

Materials and methods

Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) grew in situ in the contaminated field soil near a petrochemical plant and were harvested when about 30 cm tall with mature roots. Rhizosphere soils of the plants were sampled including the rhizoplane, strongly adhering soil, and loosely adhering soil. Eleven EPA-priority PAHs were detected in each layer of rhizosphere soils in proximity to the root surface.

Results and discussion

The PAH concentrations followed the descending order of bulk soil, loosely adhering soil, strongly adhering soil, and rhizoplane soil in proximity to the root surface of clover and hyssop. The rhizosphere effect (R, in percent) on PAH distribution clearly decreased with increasing distance from the root, and a more significant decrease was observed for hyssop compared to clover. R values were generally lower for three- and four-ringed PAHs in the rhizosphere, which were more significant in loosely and strongly adhering rhizosphere layers.

Conclusions

Our field observations combined with previous potted studies demonstrated that PAH concentrations in rhizosphere soils increased with distance from the root. Results of this work provide new information on the fate of PAHs in rhizosphere.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21077056, 41171380, 51278252, 41171193), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (KYZ201109), and the Key Technology R&D Program of Jiangsu Province (BE2011780).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People’s Republic of China

    Wanting Ling, Hongjiao Dang & Juan Liu

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  1. Wanting Ling
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  2. Hongjiao Dang
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  3. Juan Liu
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Correspondence to Wanting Ling.

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Responsible editor: Juxiu Liu

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Ling, W., Dang, H. & Liu, J. In situ gradient distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated rhizosphere soil: a field study. J Soils Sediments 13, 677–685 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-013-0655-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-013-0655-9

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