Carbon chain decomposition of short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) mediated by pumpkin and soybean seedlings

Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are a group of complex emerging persistent organic pollutants. In this study, the uptake, translocation and transformation of four constitutionally defined SCCP isomers were studied using whole pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) seedlings via hydroponic exposure. Results showed that the daughter SCCPs were C10Cl5-8 and C11-13Cl5-6. The metabolic transformation of all tested isomers included dechlorination and chlorine rearrangement. In addition, carbon chain decomposition products were found for isomers with trichlorinated carbon atoms (CCl3-groups) in both pumpkin and soybean seedlings. This study provides the first evidence of carbon chain decomposition of SCCPs in whole plants, and it suggests new metabolism pathways of SCCPs in the environment. The influence of carbon chain length and degree of chlorination of SCCPs on their fate and behavior within different plant species were also investigated. Bioaccumulation of SC...