The uptake of eight organic xenobiotics from soil by plants was studie
d in a closed aerated laboratory soil-plant system which allowed to di
stinguish between uptake via the roots and via the leaves after evapor
ation. Residues of all chemicals tested were detected in roots and in
shoots; however, uptake pathways were different. For hexachlorobenzene
(HCB) and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin(OCDD), no translocation from root
s and vice-versa was observed. The s-triazine terbuthylazine was taken
up nearly exclusively by the roots and translocated to the shoots. Th
e herbicides chlorotoluron and trichloroacetic acid (TAC) were transpo
rted in both directions. The uptake of trichloroethylene (TCE), chloro
benzene and methyl-t-butylether (MTBE) was dominated by foliar uptake.