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Bioaccumulation of Polar and Ionizable Compounds in Plants

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Ecotoxicology Modeling

Part of the book series: Emerging Topics in Ecotoxicology ((ETEP,volume 2))

Abstract

The uptake of neutral and ionizable organic compounds from soil into plants is studied using mathematical models. The phase equilibrium between soil and plant cells of neutral compounds is calculated from partition coefficients, while for ionizable compounds, the steady state of the Fick–Nernst–Planck flux equation is applied. The calculations indicate biomagnification of neutral, polar, and nonvolatile compounds in leaves and fruits of plants. For electrolytes, several additional effects impact bioaccumulation, namely dissociation, ion trap effect, and electrical attraction or repulsion. For ionizable compounds, the effects of p​K a and pH partitioning are more important than lipophilicity. Generally, dissociation leads to reduced bioaccumulation in plants, but the calculations also predict a high potential for some combinations of environmental and physicochemical properties. Weak acids (p​K a 2–6) may accumulate in leaves and fruits of plants when the soil is acidic due to the ion trap effect. Weak bases (p​K a 6–10) have a very high potential for accumulation when the soil is alkaline. The model predictions are supported by various experimental findings. However, the bioaccumulation of weak bases from alkaline soils has not yet been validated by field studies.

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Acknowledgments

This work received financial support from the European Union Sixth Framework Programme of Research, Thematic Priority 6 (Global change and ecosystems), project 2-FUN (contract no. GOCE-CT-2007-036976) and project OSIRIS (contract no. GOCE-ET-2007-037017). Many thanks to our editor, James Devillers, for his initiative and engagement. Thanks to Hans-Christian Lützhøft, Wenjing Fu, Charlotte N. Legind and Antonio Franco for support.

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  1. DTU Environment, Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, DK – 2800 Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark

    Stefan Trapp

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Correspondence to Stefan Trapp .

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  1. l'Information Scientifique (CTIS), Centre de Traitement de, chemin de la Graviere 3, Rillieux La Pape, 69140, France

    James Devillers

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Trapp, S. (2009). Bioaccumulation of Polar and Ionizable Compounds in Plants. In: Devillers, J. (eds) Ecotoxicology Modeling. Emerging Topics in Ecotoxicology, vol 2. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0197-2_11

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