Features of Accumulation, Migration, and Transformation of Benzo[a]pyrene in Soil-Plant System in a Model Condition of Soil Contamination

Abstract

Purpose: The investigation of accumulation, migration, and transformation features of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in a soil-plant system by using new ecologically friendly subcritical water extraction method is the purpose of this research. Materials and methods: Studies were conducted on the soils and plants of the model experiment with carbonate heavy loamy chernozem and virgin, 0–20-cm topsoil, contaminated by different doses of BaP from 20 up to 800 mkg/kg. For the model experiment, the very popular agricultural plant spring barley (Hordeum sativum distichum) was used as the test culture. Results and discussion: In initially polluted soils, from 84 (at 20 mkg/kg) to 99% (at 200 mkg/kg) from the total added BaP concentration in the soil was found. After 1 year of incubation, the concentration of BaP in the soil decreased by 8–33%. Total BaP destruction for 2 years of the model experiment is 15–38% from its initial concentration in the soil. The concentration of BaP in plants increased in proportion to the increasing BaP content in the soil. Conclusions: For the first time, the features of accumulation, migration, and transformation of BaP in a soil-plant system were studied in the conditions of the model experiment with ordinary chernozem carbonate. The content of BaP in the soil and plants of the model experiment increases in accordance with the level of soil pollution by BaP. A positive correlation between increasing BaP pollution level and soil and plant contamination was observed. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.