Occurrence and distribution of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in vegetation samples from a contaminated area

The occurrence and distribution of four major hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (α-, β-, γ- and δ-) were studied in vegetation samples of a highly contaminated area close to a small-scale industrial belt in Lucknow (North India). Eight species of plants were collected at different points of the contaminated area and different parts of the plants were separated in order to study the difference in uptake and accumulation. The samples were extracted by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction and finally determined by a gas-chromatograph equipped with 63Ni electron capture detector (ECD). HCH isomers were present in almost all samples and the concentration of total HCH in the plant sample analyzed varied between 13 and 44 mg kg−1, being the main isomer of β-HCH (8–22 mg kg−1). Lindane (γ-HCH) was present in all samples (1–9 mg kg−1). Solanum torvum Sw., and Erianthus munja shows the highest and lowest capacity for accumulation of HCH, respectively with a significant difference at p < 0.01 level. The highest concentration of HCH residue in root samples indicates the most likely mechanism of HCH accumulation in these plants was sorption of soil HCH on roots. Solanum torvum Sw., and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal could accumulate considerable levels of HCH isomers (44 and 34 mg kg−1, respectively). The results reflect the importance of plants in monitoring purposes and their potential for phytoremediation of HCH contaminated soils.