THE TRANSPORT AND FATE OF 2,3,7,8-TCDD IN SOYBEAN AND CORN

Root uptake, transpiration stream translocation, and metabolism of 3H-TCDD and 14C-2-chlorobiphenyl in hydroponically grown soybean and corn were investigated. Approximately 70% of the TCDD and 3% of the 2-chlorobiphenyl added to the growth solution were adsorbed by the roots. Translocation of TCDD from contaminated roots to shoot tissue was undetectable for both species. Volatility of TCDD from the growth solution was the significant mechanism of foliar contamination. Metabolism of TCDD was insignificant in all experiments with soybean, but the results of one of two corn experiments suggest the possibility of TCDD degradation in the plant-microbial system. Relative to TCDD, both transpirational translocation and metabolism of 2-chlorobiphenyl were significant transport and fate mechanisms. © 1990.