Application of GC-MS to the study of anthracene disappearance in the rhizosphere of ryegrass

It is known that plant rhizospheres can enhance the dissipation of polycycl ic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The contribution of root symbiotic micro-organisms such as arbu scular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is not known. GC-R IS was used to investigate the fate of anthracene in the rhizosphere of ryegrass in a spiked soil wit h or without inoculation with AM fungi. GC-MS allowed us to identify and qu antify an oxidation product of anthracene (anthraquinone) in soil. Oxidatio n of anthracene to anthraquinone was greater in planted than non-planted po ts. The concentration of anthraquinone was lower in the mycorrhizal than no n-mycorrhizal planted soil. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.