Investigation of the effect of fenol pollution on different plants in pot experiments

Abstract

Soil contamination with organic pollutants is one of the most serious environmental problems that can cause serious threat to people and the environment. Phenolic compounds represent a large group of molecules and have many functions regarding the aspects of development and the behaviour of the plant. Pot experiments are inexpensive in comparison to field experiments with variety of experimental treatments without contamination of the site. It is easier to observe the possible changes because the contaminants and the material absorption are more pronounced, because the soil and root are tight, and the root cannot grow out of the polluted zone. After a 14-day test period, the physical parameters were measured, but no significant differences were found between the treatments. It has changed the vitamin C content, which is very important in the oxidative stress of plants, as it is a basic material for the plant life. For vitamin C, we have also experienced the phenomenon of hormesis. It is extremely interesting how the plant tries to respond to a certain stress effect by changing the content of vitamin C. As a result of phenol contamination, we have been able to increase vitamin C in some concentrations and decrease mostly at higher concentrations, and vice versa. The amount of vitamin C in plants was measured by HPLC. Phenol as a stress factor, increased the content of vitamin C in certain concentrations in plants. By selecting a suitable non-toxic stress factor, vitamin C content can be increased in different plants.