Monitoring the Uptake and Localization of Organic Compounds in Plant Tissues Using a Hydroponic 14C-radiolabelling...

Phytoremediation, the use of plants to mitigate environmental contaminants, offers a sustainable and cost-effective approach to cleaning contaminated sites. Developing methods that aid in elucidating the mechanisms behind plant uptake and metabolism of pollutants is crucial for improving phytoremediation practices. This article describes a method to assess the uptake and transformation of organic contaminants by plants using radiolabeled compounds. ¹⁴C-labelled organic compounds, such as model ¹⁴C-naphthenic acids, are used to trace their absorption, translocation, localization, and metabolism in plant tissues. We have previously used this method with multiple plant species, including Elymus trachycaulus and Salix interior. These observations are corroborated here with the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, grown hydroponically in modified Hoagland solutions. Radiolabel uptake was monitored via liquid scintillation counting and phosphor-imaging, which allows for visualization and quantification of radiolabeled compounds within plant tissues. This method details the preparation of plant materials, the use of radiolabeled compounds, and the process of analyzing the distribution and fate of contaminants within plants. The method also includes strategies for assessing compound exudation and allows for the evaluation of both plant uptake and translocation of environmental contaminants. This approach provides insight into plant-mediated remediation processes and can be applied to the study of a wide range of environmental contaminants and plant species.