Accumulation and effects of perfluoroalkyl substances in three hydroponically grown Salix L. species

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 191; p. 110150
• Main Authors: Sharma, Nisha, Barion, Giuseppe, Shrestha, Inisa, Ebinezer, Leonard Barnabas, Trentin, Anna Rita, Vamerali, Teofilo, Mezzalira, Giustino, Masi, Antonio, Ghisi, Rossella
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 15.03.2020
• Subjects: Biodegradation, Environmental; Fluorocarbons - pharmacokinetics; Fluorocarbons - toxicity; Hydroponics; Persistent organic pollutants; PFAS; Photosynthesis; Phytoremediation; Phytotoxicity; Plant Leaves - drug effects; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - metabolism; Salix - drug effects; Salix - metabolism; Soil Pollutants - pharmacokinetics; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; Willow; A; ETR; MPF; PFASs; Ci; Fv’/Fm; POPs; PFDoA; gsw; PFNA; PFAS; FRCF; NPQ; SRM; PFBA; Rd; PFHxA; PFAAs; PFDA; ESI; Persistent organic pollutants; PFPeA; PFSA; PFBS; VPD leaf; Fm; dpt; PFHpA; Fs; PFOA; Phytoremediation; PFCA; Phytotoxicity; Willow; Fv/Fm; PhiCO2; PFUnA; Photosynthesis; RGR; PFOS
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.110150

The potential of young rooted cuttings of three Salix L. species plants to accumulate a mixture of eleven perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), in particular, perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), from the nutrient solution and their effects on plant growth and photosynthesis were assessed in an 8-day experiment. The growth rate of the willow plants exposed to the PFAA mixture was not much affected except for S. triandra. Regarding photosynthesis, the gas exchange parameters were affected more than those related to chlorophyll fluorescence, with significant increase of the net CO2 assimilation rate and parameters related to stomatal conductance. A decreasing trend in the PFAA concentration in leaves with increasing carbon chain length was observed, whereas long-chain PFAAs showed higher concentrations in roots. Accordingly, the foliage to root concentration factor highlighted that PFAAs with shorter carbon chain length (C ≤ 7) translocated and accumulated relatively more in leaves compared to roots. Removal efficiency of individual PFAAs for leaves and roots were comparatively higher with S. eleagnos and S. purpurea than S. triandra, with mean removal values at the whole plant level ranging around 10% of the amount initially spiked, suggesting their potential for phytoremediation of PFASs. [Display omitted] •PFAAs treatment did not significantly reduce the growth rate of willow plants.•Net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were increased by PFAAs.•Leaf concentration of PFAAs decreased with increasing C-chain length.•Long-chain PFAAs were preferentially retained in roots.•Higher removal of individual PFAAs was observed in S. eleagnos and S. purpurea.