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Uptake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by carrot and lettuce crops grown in compost-amended soils

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Abstract

The uptake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) by carrot and lettuce was investigated. Degradation of PBDEs in soil in the absence of the plants was discarded. Different carrot (Nantesa and Chantenay) and lettuce (Batavia Golden Spring and Summer Queen) varieties were grown in fortified or contaminated compost-amended soil mixtures under greenhouse conditions. After plant harvesting, roots (core and peel) and leaves were analyzed separately for carrot, while for lettuce, leaves and hearts were analyzed together. The corresponding bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were calculated. In carrots, a concentration gradient of 2,2′,3,4,4′,5′-hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-138) became evident that decreased from the root peel via root core to the leaves. For decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) at the low concentration level (7 and 20 ng g−1), the leaves incorporated the highest concentration of the target substance. For lettuce, a decrease in the BCF value (from 0.24 to 0.02) was observed the higher the octanol–water partition coefficient, except in the case of BDE-183 (BCF = 0.51) and BDE-209 (BCF values from 0.41 to 0.74). Significant influence of the soils and crop varieties on the uptake could not be supported. Metabolic debromination, hydroxylation or methylation of the target PBDEs in the soil–plant system was not observed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the MICINN through the CTM2011-24094 project. Technical and human support by PhD. Azucena González, Phytotron Service and Luis Bartolomé, Analysis Service, SGIker (UPV/EHU) is gratefully acknowledged. A. Iparraguirre is grateful to the University of the Basque Country for her post-doctoral grant. E. Bizkarguenaga is grateful to the Basque Government for her pre-doctoral fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P.O. Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain

    E. Bizkarguenaga, A. Iparraguirre, E. Oliva, L. A. Fernández, O. Zuloaga & A. Prieto

  2. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, IIAA-Institute for Food Analysis and Research, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    J. B. Quintana & R. Rodil

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  1. E. Bizkarguenaga
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  2. A. Iparraguirre
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  3. E. Oliva
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  4. J. B. Quintana
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  5. R. Rodil
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  6. L. A. Fernández
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  7. O. Zuloaga
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Correspondence to E. Bizkarguenaga.

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Philippe Garrigues.

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Bizkarguenaga, E., Iparraguirre, A., Oliva, E. et al. Uptake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by carrot and lettuce crops grown in compost-amended soils. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 3847–3859 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5608-y

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