Distribution and Volatilization of Organic Compounds Following Uptake by Hybrid Poplar Trees

Hybrid poplar trees were exposed to eleven organic compounds in hydroponic systems. The eleven contaminants were common pollutants with a wide range of physio-chemical properties such as the octanol-water partition coefficient, Henry's constant, vapor pressure, and molecular weight. Contaminants, 14 C-labeled, were introduced into the root zone, and contaminant transport and fate were examined. Aqueous concentrations were monitored throughout each experiment as was vapor phase concentrations in the air stream passing over the leaves. At experiment conclusion, plant tissues were oxidized to determine 14 C concentrations. The uptake, distribution, and volatilization of these contaminants varied greatly among the 11 contaminants in the study. Uptake and translocation of the contaminants ranged from