Challenges in Tracing the Fate and Effects of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Deposition in Vascular Plants

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous organic pollutants that raise environmental concerns because of their toxicity. Their accumulation in vascular plants conditions harmful consequences to human health because of their position in the food chain. Consequently, understanding how atmospheric PAHs are taken up in plant tissues is crucial for risk assessment. In this review we synthesize current knowledge about PAH atmospheric deposition, accumulation in both gymnosperms and angiosperms, mechanisms of transfer, and ecological and physiological effects. PAHs emitted in the atmosphere partition between gas and particulate phases and undergo atmospheric deposition on shoots and soil. Most PAH concentration data from vascular plant leaves suggest that contamination occurs by both direct (air-leaf) and indirect (air-soil-root) pathways. Experimental studies demonstrate that PAHs affect plant growth, interfering with plant carbon allocation and root symbioses. Photosynthesis remains the most studied physiological process affected by PAHs. Among scientific challenges, identifying specific physiological transfer mechanisms and improving the understanding of plant-symbiont interactions in relation to PAH pollution remain pivotal for both fundamental and applied environmental sciences.

Relationship between levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pine needles and socio-geographic parameters

“…Although two studies from one group show the latter with better recoveries that the former, the opposite was seen by Ratola et al (2006). These differences may be due to the use of different pine species by both groups (P. sylvestris and P. pinea, respectively) and the still existing gaps and uncertainties pointed out by two reviews (Barber et al, 2004;Desalme et al, 2013) in the understanding of the air-vegetation partition of PAHs, despite the number of different models attempted for its description. Since the intention of the current work is to make a comparison between samples, the key concern is to have all of them passing through the same handling/extraction/quantification procedure, to avoid differences in the systematic errors associated.…”

“…Deciduous tree leaves, lichens, mosses and coniferous needles are the most used matrices (Alfani et al, 2001;Augusto et al, 2010;Desalme et al, 2013;Holoubek et al, 2000;Piccardo et al, 2005).…”

Can ornamental potted plants remove volatile organic compounds from indoor air? — a review

“…In addition, there are several reviews on bioremediation and phytoremediation which focus on remediation of soils (Arthur et al 2005;Juwarkar et al 2010;McGuinness and Dowling 2009;Salt et al 1998), as well as reviews of modelling on xenobiotic accumulation in edible plants (Collins and Finnegan 2010;Trapp 2004;Zebrowski et al 2004). Recently, a review has been published dealing with deposition of atmospheric PAHs in plants (Desalme et al 2013). The review by Desalme et al (2013) offers valuable insight into deposition, accumulation, mechanisms of transfer, and ecological and physiological effects of PAHs.…”

“…Recently, a review has been published dealing with deposition of atmospheric PAHs in plants (Desalme et al 2013). The review by Desalme et al (2013) offers valuable insight into deposition, accumulation, mechanisms of transfer, and ecological and physiological effects of PAHs.…”

Effects of fluoranthene on the fitness-related traits and antioxidative defense in Lymantria dispar L.

“…This four-ringed compound originates from the incomplete combustion of organic matter and fossil fuel, and occurs in petroleum-based products and emissions. Fluoranthene makes a significant part of the sum of PAHs in leaves (Howsam et al 2000), and causes strong negative effects on plant physiology and biomass productions (Kummerová et al 2006;Desalme et al 2013). This will also influence phytophagous insects (Holopainen 2009), and stress-induced changes detected at the various levels of their biological organization can be used to assess environmental contamination.…”