Uptake of chlorobenzenes by tissues of the soybean plant: Equilibria and kinetics

Abstract

Abstract Measurements are reported of the uptake equilibria and kinetics of seven chlorobenzenes: 1,2–dichlorobenzene, 1,3–di-chlorobenzene, 1,2,4–trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3,4–tetrachlorobenzene, 1,2,3,5–tetrachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, and hexachloro-benzene from water into tissues (leaves, petioles, stems, and roots) of 6–8–week-old soybean plants, Glycine max L. Equilibrium was reached within 1–4 days, with uptake of the more hydrophobic chemicals being slightly slower. Aqueous solubilities of three of these chlorobenzenes are reported. Linear correlations were obtained between the equilibrium tissue-water partition coefficients, the chemicals' octanol-water partition coefficients and the measured lipid contents. A correlation approach is proposed that may be useful for assessment of the extent of uptake of persistent hydrophobic chemicals by plants from soil and the atmosphere.