אסיף מאגר המחקר החקלאי

"Phytoscreening": The use of trees for discovering subsurface contamination by VOCs

Year:

2008

Source of publication :

Authors :

Volume :

42

Co-Authors:

Sorek, A., Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Atzmon, N., Institute of Plant Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Dahan, O., Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Dept. of Hydrology and Microbiology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84990, Israel
Gerstl, Z., Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Kushisin, L., Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Laor, Y., Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Newe-ya'ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 1021, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel
Mingelgrin, U., Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Nasser, A., Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Ronen, D., Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Dept. of Hydrology and Microbiology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84990, Israel, Hydrological Service, Water Quality Division, Israel Water Authority, POB 20365, Tel Aviv 61203, Israel
Tsechansky, L., Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Weisbrod, N., Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Dept. of Hydrology and Microbiology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84990, Israel
Graber, E.R., Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel

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Abstract:

We tested the possibility of using tree cores to detect unknown subsurface contamination by chlorinated volatile organic compounds (Cl-VOCs) and petroleum hydrocarbons, a method we term "phytoscreening". The scope and limitations of the method include the following: (i) a number of widespread Cl-VOC contaminants are readily found in tree cores, although those with very high vapor pressures or low boiling points may be absent; (ii) volatile petroleum hydrocarbons were not well-expressed in tree cores; (iii) trees should be sampled during active evapotranspiration and from directions that are well exposed to sunlight; (iv) there is not necessarily a direct correlation between concentrations measured in tree cores and those in the subsurface; (v) detection of a contaminant in a tree core indicates that the subsurface is contaminated with the pollutant; (vi) many possible causes of false negatives may be predicted and avoided. We sampled trees at 13 random locations in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and identified Cl-VOCs in tree cores from three locations. Subsequently, subsurface contamination at all three sites was confirmed. Phytoscreening is a simple, fast, noninvasive, and inexpensive screening method for detecting subsurface contamination, and is particularly useful in urban settings where conventional methods are difficult and expensive to employ. © 2008 American Chemical Society.

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