Investigation of DDT uptake mechanisms from soil by cucurbita pepo subspecies

DDT (2,2-bis(chlorophenyl)-1,1,1- trichloroethane) was widely applied in Turkey until being banned in 1985. In soil, p,p'-DDT can be biotically and abiotically converted to 2,2-bis(chlorophenyl)-1,1–dichloroethane (p,p'-DDD) and 2,2-bis(chlorophenyl)-1,1–dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) residues which are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Except phytoremediation, application of many in situ remediation technologies for POPs contaminated soils are both ineffective and expensive. Previous studies have shown that Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo (Black Beauty) has a significant and unique potential to accumulate weathered p,p'-DDE from contaminated soil. However, the mechanism of POP uptake by Cucurbita pepo spp pepo remains unknown. This research investigates possible markers which might be responsible for p,p'-DDE binding potential in xylem saps of Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo (Black Beauty) plants grown in soil not having p,p'-DDE in it. The markers in xylem saps of Black Beauty were compared with Golden, Lebanese, De Nice, Patty Green of Cucurbita pepo subspecies known as not good p,p'-DDE accumulator. Field experiments were conducted to collect xylem saps of the plants. Cucurbita pepo subspecies were planted in the field of two consecutive years. The plants were harvested after 77-day of growth and p,p'-DDE contents were measured in soil and plants with GC/µ-ECD. Possible markers in xylem saps of the plants were scanned with LC/MS q-TOF and compared with Black Beauty using EZInfo.