Fluorine uptake by grass from aluminium smelter fume

Abstract

Perennial ryegrass has been grown in controlled atmospheres containing either HF or subrnicron participate fluorides—the principal components of fume emitted from aluminium reduction plants. The aim was to measure the quantities of fluorine absorbed by grass under conditions of growth comparable with those in the field. Under a range of experimental conditions, and at levels of fluorine similar to those occurring around smelters, uptake by the grass was proportional to the concentration in the air. The uptake of fluorine from atmospheres containing submicron particulates is probably less than 1 percent of that from equal concentrations of fluorine as HF. The effects on fluorine uptake of time of year, length of growth period, simulated rainfall and intermittent exposure are presented and discussed.