الأراضي المقدسة الخضراء / GHLands
A new scientific study has revealed that potato leaves may serve as an effective tool for detecting recent environmental pollution that traditional soil tests often fail to identify, particularly in areas affected by armed conflicts.
The research focused on a group of chemical compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their ability to persist in the environment for decades—or even centuries—without fully breaking down.
PFAS are widely used in industrial products such as non-stick cookware, food packaging, water-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams. Over time, these chemicals have become widespread in air, water, soil, and even the human body.
Study Conducted in 34 Agricultural Fields Near Gaza
The findings were published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials and were led by researcher Nitzan Shay and Professor Benny Chefetz of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The research team collected samples of soil, potato leaves, and potato tubers from 34 agricultural fields surrounding the Gaza Strip. These samples were compared with reference samples obtained from regions located approximately 80 kilometers to the north.
Soil analyses revealed the presence of conventional PFAS compounds commonly associated with the long-term use of treated wastewater and organic fertilizers, reflecting decades of agricultural activity and historical accumulation of these substances.
However, a different pattern emerged when the researchers analyzed potato leaves. Elevated concentrations of short-chain PFAS compounds, particularly perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), were detected. PFBA is known for its ability to travel easily through the atmosphere.
Evidence of Airborne Contamination
In some samples, PFBA concentrations in the leaves were hundreds of times higher than the levels found in the soil directly beneath the plants.
According to the researchers, this significant disparity suggests that the plants did not absorb the chemicals through their roots. Instead, they likely captured them directly from the air.
On average, PFBA concentrations in the leaves were 266 times higher than those measured in the soil, while some locations recorded ratios exceeding 1,200 times, strongly supporting the hypothesis of recent airborne contamination.
The study identified military activities and armed conflicts as potential sources of these atmospheric pollutants.
Researchers noted that firefighting foams used during military operations are known sources of PFAS. In addition, fluorinated polymers used in munitions and explosive materials may release similar compounds when exposed to the high temperatures generated by explosions or fires.
Nevertheless, the research team emphasized that the study could not conclusively identify a specific source due to the lack of direct air-sampling data and chemical markers uniquely associated with military ammunition.
Limited Transfer to Edible Potato Tubers
One encouraging finding was that the chemicals accumulated in the leaves did not significantly transfer to the edible potato tubers.
Laboratory analyses showed that PFAS concentrations within the tubers were very low compared with those found in the leaves. This observation aligns with previous studies indicating that PFAS compounds tend to accumulate primarily in leaves and roots rather than in the plant’s storage organs.
Plants as Indicators of Recent Environmental Pollution
Researchers initially expected pollution levels to decrease with increasing distance from conflict zones. However, the results did not reveal a clear pattern of decline in either soil or leaf samples.
The study also found that pollution levels in the surveyed area were generally lower than those reported at military training grounds and ammunition detonation sites elsewhere in the world. They were also comparable to—or lower than—levels documented in several European and Asian countries as well as the United States.
According to the researchers, the significance of the study extends beyond measuring contamination levels. It highlights the value of plants as environmental indicators capable of detecting recent airborne pollution occurring within a single growing season.
While soil serves as a long-term record of contaminants accumulated over decades, making it less effective at revealing recent pollution events, plants provide a more immediate reflection of current environmental conditions.
The researchers concluded that vegetation can offer unique insights into ongoing environmental processes and may serve as an efficient tool for monitoring recent airborne pollution in agricultural regions.
They further noted that combining plant analysis with air-quality monitoring could provide a more effective early-warning system for detecting environmental pollutants, particularly in areas burdened by historical contamination or affected by armed conflicts.
The study also underscores the need for broader investigations into the environmental consequences of warfare, as conflicts may generate chemical pollutants whose effects can persist long after hostilities have ended.
The study source :https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389426014500?via%3Dihub
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