ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Accumulation and Health Risk Assessment
of PAHs in Radish
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1
Qingdao Engineering Research Center for Rural Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
2
College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
Submission date: 2017-09-08
Final revision date: 2017-11-28
Acceptance date: 2017-12-08
Online publication date: 2018-07-04
Publication date: 2018-07-09
Corresponding author
Chao Chai
Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao Agricultural University, 266109 shandong qingdao, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2018;27(6):2529-2539
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ABSTRACT
Three kinds of soil with different levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination
were collected, and diesel was added to soil to prepare two kinds of diesel-contaminated soil. The radish
was planted in five kinds of soil through a pot experiment, and the concentration and composition of PAHs
in radish were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet and fluorescent
detector. The PAH contribution in aboveground parts of radish from atmospherically deposited particulates
was studied, and the health risk of ingesting contaminated radish was assessed. Results showed that PAH
concentrations (196.2-982.6 ng/g) in the parts of radish found underground were significantly higher than
in aboveground parts (129.7-556.7 ng/g, p<0.05). Predominant PAH compounds in radish were the 3-
and 4-ring PAHs, accounting for 78.1-92.7%. In general, the values of root concentration factors (RCFs:
0.30-0.55) were significantly higher than shoot concentration factors (SCFs: 0.19-0.39, p<0.05).
Atmospherically deposited particles contributed less than 1% of the PAHs in aboveground parts of radish,
which indicated two things: the atmospheric particles had a slight effect on the PAH content in aboveground
parts of radish , and the soil contributed more to PAH accumulation in aboveground parts of radish than
the particles. The total toxicity equivalence quotient in radish grown in diesel-contaminated soil samples
was higher than in other types of soil. Ingestion of radish planted in five kinds of soil had no carcinogenic
risk to children, adolescents, and seniors; whereas ingestion of radish from heavily contaminated and
diesel-contaminated soil samples had carcinogenic risks to adults.
This study highlights the accumulation and potential health risks associated with cultivation and
consumption of radish in soil with different contamination levels and sources of PAHs.