H.3.6 Plant tissue collection and preparation for analysis

H.3.6 Plant tissue collection and preparation for analysis

After 45 days, CE is harvested from each container, (SA is harvested after

90 days). Stainless steel scissors are used to cut the plant tissue 5 cm above the

sediment surface. The tissue is immediately washed in distilled water to remove

any salt, sediment, or dust particles and blotted dry. Total fresh weight and dry

weight of each replicate is then determined. Plant tissues from replicates are

split as appropriate for analysis of inorganic and organic contaminants. The

amount of plant material required for each analyte must be determined before

splits are performed and tissues placed in appropriate containers for preservation

for analysis.

Chemical analysis of plant tissues for COC should be conducted according

the animal tissue analysis guidance in Chapter 9 of the ITM (USEPA/USACE

1998). Analysis should include blanks and NBS plant tissue standards.

Inorganics are normally reported on a dry weight basis and organics are reported

on a wet weight basis although either can be calculated provided that moisture

content of the plant tissue is determined prior to analysis.

H.3.7 Data presentation and analysis

Data presentation. Data should be presented in tabular format, listing

tissue concentration of each COC by organism and by sediment type (e.g.,

dredged material and reference).

Data analysis. At the end of the test period, concentrations of COC in the

tissues of plants in the dredged material should be statistically compared to

concentrations of COC in plants in the reference material. The results of this

evaluation are interpreted according to the Tier III guidance in Chapter 9.

H.4 References

American Public Health Association. (1976). "Standard methods for the

examination of water and wastewater," 14th ed., Washington, DC.

Beckett, P. H. T., and Davis, R. D. (1977). "Upper critical levels of toxic

elements in plants," New Phytol 79, 95-106.

Chaney, R. L., Hundemann, P. T., Palmer, W. T., Small, R. J., White, M. C., and

Decker, A. M. (1978). "Plant accumulation of heavy metals and

phytotoxicity resulting from utilization of sewage sludge composts on

cropland," Proc Nat Conf Composting Municipal Residues and Sludge,

Information Transfer, Inc., Rockville, MD, 86-97.

Chaney, R. L. (1983). "Potential effects of waste constituents on the food chain

in land treatment of hazardous wastes," Noyes Data Corp., NJ, 152-240.

Appendix H Plant Bioaccumulation Procedures