Appendix H: Plant Bioaccumulation Procedures

Appendix H

Plant Bioaccumulation

Procedures

H.1 Introduction

This appendix provides detailed step-by-step procedures for conducting tests

for evaluation of bioaccumulation of contaminants of concern (COC) by wetland

and terrestrial plants from both freshwater and marine dredged materials. The

background, rationale, and tiered framework for application of these procedures

are discussed in Chapter 9 of the main text of this Upland Testing Manual

(UTM). Two test procedures are provided in this appendix:

a. DTPA extraction and application of the plant bioaccumulation program

(PUP).

b. Plant bioaccumulation procedures applicable to terrestrial and wetland

dredged material disposal alternatives.

H.2 DTPA Extraction Procedure for Plant

Bioaccumulation

The screen for the evaluation of plant bioaccumulation of metals involves

the extraction of metals from the dredged material using diethylenetriamine-

pentaacetic acid (DTPA). The DTPA screen may be used to evaluate

bioaccumulation of metals by plants from freshwater dredged material under

wetland or terrestrial habitat conditions. A computerized program, the PUP uses

the results of the DTPA extraction to predict bioaccumulation from the dredged

material and compare the results to bioaccumulation from the reference sediment

or soil (Folsom and Houck 1990). The PUP requires data on total sediment

metals concentrations, DTPA extraction, organic matter percentage, and the

sediment pH in the condition of disposal (wetland or terrestrial).

Appendix H Plant Bioaccumulation Procedures