Chemical composition and risk assessment of spring barley grown in artificially contaminated soil

A model contaminated system was developed to determine mechanisms of napthalene bioaccumulation and effect on the mineral composition of spring barley grain and straw grown in the Calcari-Endohypogleyic Luvisol. The soil was mixed with green waste compost and spiked with naphthalene which concentration varied from 0 to 500 ppm. Obtained results indicate that naphthalene additive at the concentration rate from 100 to 500 ppm reduced spring barley germination. The significant lower weight of green mass per pot, one plant weight and mass of 1000 grains were observed in the amendment with the highest naphthalene concentration (500 ppm). It was determined the daily intake (E-D) of 16PAHs via spring barley grain and incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR). Estimated E-D and ILCR of 16PAHs via spring barley ranged from 1.00 to 3.78 ng day(-1) and 3.79 to 14.3 x 10(-5) respectively. It should be noted that obtained results are higher around 10 times compared to previous studies performed using wheat grain. This study presents the mechanisms of naphthalene bioaccumulation and effect on the mineral composition of the most common agricultural plant spring barley grain and straw. Spring barley grain was found to have a higher content of nitrogen (N), boron (B) and phosphorous (P), whereas straw had a higher content of potassium (K), sodium (Na), chromium (Cr) and calcium (Ca).

Automated summary

A model contaminated system was developed to investigate the bioaccumulation of naphthalene and its effect on the mineral composition of spring barley grain and straw. Results showed that high concentrations of naphthalene reduce barley germination and affect plant growth, leading to decreased grain quality. Furthermore, differences in mineral content were observed between barley grain and straw.