Investigation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Uptake by Cucurbita pepo under Exhaust Gas Loading

Abstract

It was aimed to compare the uptake of PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) by Cucurbita pepo fruits exposed to exhaust gas or not in a greenhouse chamber. Cucurbita pepo vegetable was grown in two greenhouses, which were formed as control group and experimental group. The experimental group greenhouse was regularly exposed to exhaust gas for a certain period, no intervention was made to the control group. PAHs were measured in grown Cucurbita pepo samples and indoor air of greenhouse by passive air sampler (PAS). The average ∑₁₆PAH concentration in Cucurbita pepo in the experimental group (exposed to exhaust gas) was 191.5 ng/g, compared with 124.8 ng/g in the control group (not exposed). The nearness of the vegetable to exhaust gas source were effective on the PAH levels. A significantly positive relationship (p < 0.05) was observed in PAH concentration between Cucurbita pepo and indoor air. It was found that PAH levels measured in the Cucurbita pepo vegetable were increased in proportion to PAH exposure, but this amount tended to decrease in the Cucurbita pepo growing sufficiently. Benzo(a)pyrene had the highest toxic equivalence value in health risk assessment calculations. A negative effect of excess foliation on plant growth rather than fruit production was observed under exhaust gas exposure.

Keywords:

• Vegetable marrow
• persistent organic pollutants
• motorway emissions
• priority pollutants
• exposure
• air pollution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Bursa Uludag University Scientific Research Unit with Project No: 2015/59. We would like to thank to Prof. Dr. Yucel Tasdemir and Prof.Dr. Ihsan Karamangil for their valuable contributions.