Uptake, accumulation and toxicity of short chain chlorinated paraffins to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants. They have been widely detected in plant-based foods and might cause adverse impacts on humans. Nevertheless, uptake and accumulation mechanisms of SCCPs in plants remain unclear. In this study, the soil culture data indicated that SCCPs were strongly absorbed by roots (root concentration factor, RCF>1) yet limited translocated to shoots (translocation factor<1). The uptake mechanism was explored by hydroponic exposure, showing that hydrophobicity and molecular size influenced the root uptake and translocation of SCCPs. RCFs were significantly correlated with logK_ow values and molecular weights in a parabolic curve relationship. Besides, it was extremely difficult for SCCPs to translocate from shoots back to roots via phloem. An active energy-dependent process was proposed to be involved in the root uptake of SCCPs, which was supported by the uptake inhibition by the low temperature and metabolic inhibitor. Though SCCPs at environmentally relevant concentrations had no negative impacts on root morphology and chlorophyll contents, it caused obvious changes in cellular ultrastructure of root tip cells and induced a significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity. This information may be beneficial to moderate crop contamination by SCCPs, and to remedy soils polluted by SCCPs with plants.

Keywords: Cellular ultrastructure; Hydrophobicity; Root concentration factor; Short chain chlorinated paraffins; Translocation factor.