The Phytotoxicity of Designated Pollutants

Abstract

The phytotoxicity of gaseous hydrogen fluoride (HF) and jet fuel in vapor, spray and liquid states was investigated. The HF fumigation chamber and generating system was made operational, safe, and reliable. Plants exposed to 20-minute doses of HF gas developed typical foliar wilt, glazing, and necrosis dependent on gas concentration, plant species, and environment. Pictorial keys were constructed to aid in consistent grading of injured plants. Visible foliar response of six species to HF gas was comparable to their response to HC1 gas, but at smaller concentrations. Seed development was inhibited after exposure to HF under certain conditions. Literature concerning the effects of hydrocarbon fuels on plants was reviewed. Plants exposed to sprays and vapors of JP4 jet fuel developed water-soaked lesions and foliar necrosis depending on amount of fuel applied. The response of seeds to liquid fuel was tested. A toxic substance in jet fuel moved short distances horizontally across flats and vertically down through columns of soil. Watering or airing soil treated with jet fuel decreased phytotoxic response. Species differed in tolerance to the fuel. Initial studies indicated that shale-derived jet fuel was biologically more toxic than the same type of fuel derived from petroleum.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA110588

Entities

People

  • A. L. Granett
  • O. C. Taylor

Organizations

  • University of California, Irvine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Air Pollution
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Filter Paper
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Plants
  • Rocket Engines
  • Vegetables

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Petroleum Engineering