Uptake of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates by crested wheatgrass.

Nonylphenol (NP) and other hydrophobic biodegradation intermediates of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) surfactants have been identified in wastewater treatment biosolids. These biosolids often are land applied, but little is known regarding the potential uptake of biosolid-derived contaminants by plants. Hydroponic experiments, 11 to 14 weeks in duration, were conducted to examine the uptake and translocation of 14C and unlabeled NP, nonylphenol tetraethoxylate (NPE4), and nonylphenol nonylethoxylate (NPE9) by crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum).