Uptake and translocation of organophosphates and other emerging contaminants in food and forage crops

Emerging contaminants in wastewater and sewage sludge spread on agricultural soil can be transferred to the human food web directly by uptake into food crops or indirectly following uptake into forage crops. This study determined uptake and translocation of the organophosphates tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) (log K(ow) 2.59), triethyl-chloro-phosphate (TCEP) (log K(ow) 1.44), tributyl phosphate (TBP) (log K(ow) 4.0), the insect repellent N,N-diethyl toluamide (DEET) (log K(ow) 2.18) and the plasticiser N-butyl benzenesulfonamide (NBBS) (log K(ow) 2.31) in barley, wheat, oilseed rape, meadow fescue and four cultivars of carrot. All species were grown in pots of agricultural soil, freshly amended contaminants in the range of 0.6–1.0 mg/kg dry weight, in the greenhouse. The bioconcentration factors for root (RCF), leaf (LCF) and seed (SCF) were calculated as plant concentration in root, leaf or seed over measured initial soil concentration, both in dry weight. The chlorinated flame retardants (TCEP and TCPP) displayed the highest bioconcentration factors for leaf and seed but did not show the same pattern for all crop species tested. For TCEP, which has been phased out due to toxicity but is still found in sewage sludge and wastewater, LCF was 3.9 in meadow fescue and 42.3 in carrot. For TCPP, which has replaced TCEP in many products and also occurs in higher residual levels in sewage sludge and wastewater, LCF was high for meadow fescue and carrot (25.9 and 17.5, respectively). For the four cultivars of carrot tested, the RCF range for TCPP and TCEP was 10–20 and 1.7–4.6, respectively. TCPP was detected in all three types of seeds tested (SCF, 0.015–0.110). Despite that DEET and NBBS have log K(ow) in same range as TCPP and TCEP, generally lower bioconcentration factors were measured. Based on the high translocation of TCPP and TCEP to leaves, especially TCPP, into meadow fescue (a forage crop for livestock animals), ongoing risk assessments should be conducted to investigate the potential effects of these compounds in the food web. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11356-012-1363-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences : forest decline in Norway: monitoring results, international links and hypotheses

SupplementIt is widely accepted that forest decline is a multiple syndrome and that there is less synchrony in its incidence than was previously thought. T'here are also some doubts as to the «novelty- of some kinds of damage, e.g. magnesium deficiency and damage associated with needle fungi. Nevertheless, the appearance of so many ailments in the forest at roughly the same time suggests that there are linking and triggering factors. The large-scale surveys of forest damage are useful and very important for identifying and quantifying the problems with novel forest decline, but the scientific quest for its causes can probably be carried out only through detailed work in long-term studies of forest ecosystems. Models of nutrient cycling are necessary tools for revealing the true status of health in our forests. A continuation of the present pollution loads for extended periods of time or an increase in pollution Ievels may threaten the vitality of forests over large areas of Europe. A reduction in air pollution loads would improve the condition of our forests and postpone a possible expansion of forest decline. The important role of forests and the threat of global warming as a result of the possible greenhouse effect support the need for further measures to reduce air pollution

Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences : forest decline in Norway: monitoring results, international links and hypotheses

It is widely accepted that forest decline is a multiple syndrome and that there is less synchrony in its incidence than was previously thought. T'here are also some doubts as to the «novelty- of some kinds of damage, e.g. magnesium deficiency and damage associated with needle fungi. Nevertheless, the appearance of so many ailments in the forest at roughly the same time suggests that there are linking and triggering factors. The large-scale surveys of forest damage are useful and very important for identifying and quantifying the problems with novel forest decline, but the scientific quest for its causes can probably be carried out only through detailed work in long-term studies of forest ecosystems. Models of nutrient cycling are necessary tools for revealing the true status of health in our forests. A continuation of the present pollution loads for extended periods of time or an increase in pollution Ievels may threaten the vitality of forests over large areas of Europe. A reduction in air pollution loads would improve the condition of our forests and postpone a possible expansion of forest decline. The important role of forests and the threat of global warming as a result of the possible greenhouse effect support the need for further measures to reduce air pollution

Akkumulering av nitrogen- variasjoner avhengig av bestandsutvikling, nitrogentilførsel og simulert snødekke

Fra Institutt for jord- og vannfag. Rapport nr. 10/97 (60). Prosjektnummer NATI 17/96. Miljøverndepartementet fagrapport nr. 90. Oppdragsgiver: Direktoratet for Naturforvaltning.Kunnskap om hvor mye N som kan akkumuleres i jordsmonnet er av stor betydning for beregning av tålegrenser for N i skogøkosystemet. Formålet med denne undersøkelsen var å fremskaffe bedre estimater for netto N-immobiliseringshastighet i skogsjord og spesielt hvordan den påvirkes av bestandsalder, N-tilførsel og isolerende snødekke

Seminar 25.september 1997

Fra Institutt for jrod- og vannfag. Rapport nr. 7/97 (57). Seminar 25.september 1997, Studentsamfunnet i Ås, Festspisesalen. -Forurensning av jord, luft og vann av Gunnar Abrahamsen. -Hvor ble det av debatten om forsuring og skogdød? av Arne O. Stuanes. -Menneskets plass i nitrogenkretsløpet av Lars Bakken. -Radioaktivt nedfall, konsekvenser for jordbruket av Line DIana Blytt. -Tungemetaller av Åsgeir Almås. -Kjemiske plantevernmidler/organiske miljøgifter i jord og vann av Gunnhild Riise.Rapporten inneholder 6 oversiktsartikler som belyser temaene på en populær måte, men med særlig vekt på problemstillinger det arbeides med på Institutt for jord- og vannfag