芥菜能够探测化学毒物

摘要 : 一种白芥植物能做的远比充当调味品多得多。来自英国国防科技实验室和中央兰开夏大学的研究人员发现，这种植物能用于探测化学战争物质，其中包括维埃克斯毒气(VX，一种极其致命的极毒神经性毒气)。

一种白芥植物能做的远比充当调味品多得多。来自英国国防科技实验室和中央兰开夏大学的研究人员发现，这种植物能用于探测化学战争物质，其中包括维埃克斯毒气(VX，一种极其致命的极毒神经性毒气)。

刊登于英国《皇家学会学报A》的相关研究描述了生长在含有VX毒气的土壤中的白芥是如何通过根系吸收这种毒物的。吸收毒物45天后，人们就能从这种植物中探测到VX毒气。另外，科学家建议，白芥的相关能力或有助于提供净化污染土壤的可能方式。

原文摘要：

Evidence of VX nerve agent use from contaminated white mustard plants

Matthew R. Gravett, Farrha B. Hopkins, Adam J. Self,Andrew J. Webb, Christopher M. Timperley and Matthew J. Baker

The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by member States. Verification of compliance and investigations into allegations of use require accurate detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and their degradation products. Detection of CWAs such as organophosphorus nerve agents in the environment relies mainly upon the analysis of soil. We now present a method for the detection of the nerve agent VX and its hydrolysis products by gas chromatography and lIQuid chromatography mass spectrometry of ethanol extracts of contaminated white mustard plants (Sinapis alba) which retained the compounds of interest for up to 45 days. VX is hydrolysed by the plants to ethyl methylphosphonic acid and then to methylphosphonic acid. The utility of white mustard as a nerve agent detector and remediator of nerve agent-polluted sites is discussed. The work described will help deter the employment of VX in conflict.

作者：张章

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