Model for uptake of xenobiotics into plants: Validation with bromacil experiments

This paper documents a conceptual model for the uptake of anthropogenic organic chemicals into plants. The model describes the dynamic uptake from soil, solution, or atmosphere, and the metabolism and accumulation of xenobiotic chemicals in roots, stems, leaves, and fruits. The goal was to develop an easy and rapid tool that would be numerically stable and require only a few well-known input data. The model is applicable to different plant species and most (nondissociating) organic chemicals. Processes considered are (a) diffusive exchange, soil/roots, and air/leaves; (b) mass flows in xylem and phloem; and (c) metabolism. The model is tested with laboratory studies on the uptake of the herbicide bromacil under various controlled conditions. No adjustments to the parameter values were required for successful simulations.