Partition uptake of a brominated diphenyl ether by the edible plant root of white radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are of a class of emerging contaminants. In this study, the accumulation of 4-bromodiphenyl ether (BDE-3) by different parts of a live white radish was investigated. Different cultural media (hydroponics, silica sand, and soil) were used to sustain the radish plant during its uptake and in-plant translocation of BDE-3. The results showed that BDE-3 can be translocated from the roots to the aboveground organs and the accumulated levels of BDE-3 in different parts of the white radish followed the order for the three types of cultivation: fibrous roots > peels > main roots > leaves. The results were analyzed by the aid of the partition-limited model for the plant uptake. The relevant partition coefficients (K_OC and K_d) and uptake parameters of BDE-3 with plant components (K_pt and K_lip) were obtained for analyzing the BDE-3 distribution. The partition-limited model offers a significant insight into the uptakes of BDE-3 by the various components of live white radishes. The types of cultivation affected the total sorption level, translocation factors (TFs), extent to equilibrium (α_pt), and root concentration factors (RCFs). - Highlights: • BDE-3 was taken into white radish under hydroponics, sand, and soil systems. • BDE-3 concentration in plants: fibrous roots > peels > main roots > leaves. • The uptake amounts by the plant: hydroponics > silica sand > soil. • Quasi-equilibrium factors developed by partition-limited model for BDE-3 uptake. • Uptake parameters help to estimate the equilibrium of BDE-3 in soil-plant system. - The emerging pollutant, BDE-3, can be translocated into growing white radish and its partition uptake parameters were obtained in various media and discussed.