[Concentration and distribution of PAHs in vegetables grown near an iron and steel industrial area].

Concentrations of 15 kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) were determined in 8 vegetable species and their growing environment (soil and atmosphere) near an iron and steel industrial area. The total concentrations of 15 kinds of PAHs (sigma PAHs) were 227.1 - 1 533.2 ng/g, 759.1 ng/g in average. The concentrations of 8 carcinogenic PAHs (sigma carePAHs) were 7.1 - 231.2 ng/g, 70.6 ng/g in average. Of the various vegetable species determined, the highest polyaromatic burden was observed in the leafy vegetables, followed by melon and fruit species, while the rhizome species accumulated the lowest amount. In melon and fruit species, most PAHs were accumulated on the peel, only about 30% transfer into the core. The ability of the plant accumulating PAHs was mainly influenced by the lipid content of the plant. Leaf with pubescence or rough surface was found to have higher sigma PAHs than the other, and the fibre higher than the taproot, when the lipid contents were close.