Bioconcentration Factors for Volatile Organic Compounds in Vegetation

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Abstract
Samples of air and leaves were taken at the University of NevadaLas Vegas campus and analyzed for volatile organic compounds using vacuum distillation coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The data were used to estimate the bioconcentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to characterize the equilibration of VOCs between the leaves and air. The bioconcentration of volatiles in the leaves of some species can be predicted using the partition coefficients between air and octanol (Koa) and only considering VOC absorption in the lipid fraction of leaves. For these leaves, the bioconcentration factors agreed with existing models. Leaves of some species displayed a bioconcentration of volatiles that greatly exceeded theory. These hyperbioconcentration leaves also contain appreciable concentrations of monoterpenes, suggesting that a terpenoid compartment should be considered for the bioconcentration of organic compounds in leaves. Adding an additional “terpenoid” compartment should improve the characterization of volatile organic compounds in the environment. The uptake of VOCs from air by leaves is rapid, and the equilibration rates are seen to be quicker for compounds that have higher vapor pressures. The release of VOCs from the leaves of plants is slower for hyperbioconcentration leaves.