A novel and simple model of the uptake of organic chemicals by vegetation from air and soil

A novel and simple three-compartment fugacity model has been developed to predict the kinetics and equilibria of the uptake of organic chemicals in herbaceous agricultural plants at various times, including the time of harvest, using only readily available input data. The chemical concentration in each of the three plant compartments (leaf, stem which includes fruits and seeds, and root) is expressed as a function of both time and chemical concentrations in soil and air. The model was developed using the fugacity concept; however, the final expressions are presented in terms of concentrations in soil and air, equilibrium partition coefficients and a set of transport and transformation half-lives. An illustrative application of the model is presented which describes the uptake of bromacil by a soybean plant under hydroponic conditions. The model, which is believed to give acceptably accurate prediction of the distribution of chemicals among plant tissues, air and soil. may be used for the assessment of exposure to, and risk from contaminants consumed either directly from vegetation or indirectly in natural and agricultural food chains. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.