PREDICTIVE RELATIONSHIPS FOR UPTAKE OF ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS BY HYBRIDPOPLAR TREES

Twelve organic compounds commonly found at hazardous waste sites were studied for uptake by hybrid poplar trees. The vegetative uptake of ma ny of these compounds has not previously been demonstrated for plant s pecies being utilized for phytoremediation, such as hybrid poplar tree s. Experiments were conducted hydroponically utilizing C-14-laheled co mpounds to ascertain translocation and fate. Predictive relationships for the translocation and partitioning to plant tissues were developed from the experimental data. Translocation and partitioning relationsh ips based on compounds' octanol-water partitioning coefficients (log K -ow) produced the best results, but the relationships did not allow fo r fully accurate prediction of each contaminant's fate. Translocation and subsequent transpiration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the leaves to the atmosphere was shown to be a significant pathway. A s full-scale phytoremediation systems are deliberated, the pathways in vestigated here should be considered in terms of a contaminant removal mechanism and potential contamination of the vegetation.