Uptake, Translocation, and Metabolism of Phenols by Submerged Rooted Macrophyte, Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum elatinoides).

Shoot and root uptakes of (14)C-labeled phenol (1), 4-nitrophenol (2), 4-cyanophenol (3), 4-hydroxybenzamide (4), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (5) by Myriophyllum elatinoides were individually examined with water or sediment treatments using the sequestered chamber. Shoot uptake of each (14)C-phenol dissolved in water amounted to 21.0% (1), 14.3% (2), 12.8% (3), 4.2% (4) and 41.7% (5) of the applied radioactivity (AR) after 96 h without significant (14)C translocation from shoot to root (≤0.9% AR), and the major metabolite produced was the glucose conjugate. On the other hand, root uptake of (14)C-phenols from sediment was much slower/smaller (≤6.6% AR), and (14)C transportation from root to shoot was scarcely observed, except for compound 5 (≤1.5% AR). For the water treatment, a kinetic analysis on uptake/metabolism was conducted using the assumed compartment. Good correlation was observed between lipophilicity and shoot uptake rate constants, and the electronic state of the hydroxyl group (σ, σ(-), or EHOMO(OH)) and the transformation rate constant of glucosidation.