Uptake of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon by some local edible plants
Abstract
Many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic and are potentially hazardous to human health. Plants for human consumption grown contaminated soils can take-up these chemicals and can bio-concentrate them. This... [ view full abstract ]
Many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic and are potentially hazardous to human health. Plants for human consumption grown contaminated soils can take-up these chemicals and can bio-concentrate them. This project measured the concentration of sixteen US-EPA priority PAHs in tropical edible vegetables (Corchorus olitorius, Celosia argentea, Amarathus viridis, Telfaria occidentale, Basella alba, Letuca sativa, Allium ascabricum, Tainum triangulare) grown on contaminated (found in Lagos area, Nigeria) soils. Soils and plants were extracted (n-hexane/acetone mixture) ultrasonically and then purified using a C18 solid-phase extraction cartridge (3 mL). The resultant extract was separated and the PAHs quantified (using their d-labelled analogues) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concentration of total PAHs in the contaminated soils ranged 200-250,000 ng/g, while for the plants grown on contaminated site this ranged from 100-5,000 ng/g. The amount of PAHs in plants grown on contaminated sites compared to the control site revealed increased concentrations. There was a positive correlation with PAHs concentrations in the plants to the amounts in the soil. Tainum triangulare (water leaf) even though it could not grow on took up more PAHs than other plants tested. The amounts in the roots were generally higher than in the leaves and stem. Telfairia occidentale (Ugwu) consistently grew on all the soils and their mixes. This suggests Telfairia occidentale (Ugwu, fluted pumpkin) has some special property which enabled it grow even in 100% heavily contaminated soils .
Authors
-
Oluwatoyin Adetunde
(University of Lagos)
-
Kehinde Olayinka
(University of Lagos)
-
Graham Mills
(University of Portsmouth, UK)
-
Babajide Alo
(University of Lagos)
Topic Areas
II. Environmental Health 2.1 Disease mapping 2.2 Assessment of the impact of environmental , II. Urban Health at the intersection of urban environment, social determinants and places
Session
PS-1 » POSTER SESSION 1 (12:10 - Friday, 1st April, TBA)
Paper
Conference_Abstract_.doc
Presentation Files
The presenter has not uploaded any presentation files.