TOXICITY, UPTAKE AND METABOLISM OF 4-N-NONYLPHENOL IN ROOT CULTURES AND INTACT PLANTS UNDER SEPTIC AND ASEPTIC CONDITIONS

4-Nonylphenol, a compound with estrogenic activity, has been shown to occur in sewage sludges and effluents of sludge treatment. This, as we ll as its use in the formulation of pesticides, may result in the cont amination of crop plants and may therefore have an impact on the quali ty of food or feedstuff. The toxicity, uptake and metabolism of 4-n-no nylphenol (4-n-NP) were investigated as C-14-labeled 4-n-NP in root cu ltures under septical and aseptical conditions and with intact plants grown in containers with soil and aseptically grown in nutrient media. 4-n-NP was toxic to all plant systems tested. The presence of microor ganisms and the developmental state of the plant material appeared to have an influence on the EC50 values. 4-n-NP was taken up by the roots and a metabolism to polar compounds was observed in the cases where s ufficiently high uptake rates. With intact plants a transport from roo ts to the shoots was evident. Metabolism in roots changed quantitative ly in the presence of microorganisms. The mineralization of 4-n-NP to (CO2)-C-14 only occurred with microorganisms.