Hydroponic growth of crops in presence of /sup 14/C-benzo(a)pyrene. [/sup 14/C tracer study in beans, cantaloupes, and cotton plants]

An attempt was made to evaluate the fate of a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon in the food chain under severe and exaggerated experimental conditions. Green beans, cantaloupes, and cotton were grown hydroponically in nutrient-containing aqueous solutions saturated with carbon-14 labeled benzo(a)pyrene, a known carcinogen. The plants were selected because of different growing times involved: 6, 12, and 22 weeks for green beans, cantaloupes, and cotton, respectively, as well as the great differences in these plant types. Results indicate that the translocation or migration of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons during the growth cycle of crops is not a reasonable expectation. Any such contamination found in crops would, therefore, require some other explanation.