Biochemical and structural characteristics of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in an alkaline environment

Abstract

Investigations in a 75-85-year-old Scots pine stand were performed on a territory influenced over 40 years by alkaline dust pollution (pH 12.3-12.7) emitted from a cement plant. Sample plots were located at distances of 2, 3, and 5 km E of the emission source and a control sample plot was selected on an unpolluted territory 38 km W of it. We studied soil properties and the anatomical structure, mineral nutrition, and pigments in Scots pine needles. The alkaline dust pollution has affected the biogeochemical cycling in the forest ecosystem, increasing the pH and total Ca, K, Fe, Mn, and Mg and decreasing N, C, organic matter, and C/N compared to the unpolluted soils. Alkalization and changes in the nutrient composition of soil had caused serious disbalances in nutrient availability and in the mineral composition of trees. Deflciency in foliar N and Mn and excess of K, Ca, and Fe contents had caused a decrease in the average chlorophyll concentrations. Carotenoids seemed to be more tolerant both to changes in soil and needle nutrient composition. The Chi o/ChI b ratio in needles was found to have declined. With the alkalization of the environment the total area of the needle cross-section, needle thickness, and mesophyll area had also decreased compared with control. Differences in the anatomical characteristics of needles between the polluted and unpolluted areas were significant in the oldest needles. The decrease of mesophyll was associated with the content of chlorophylls and correlated with N concentrations in needles.

Assessment Of Air Quality In The Southwestern Part Of The Świętokrzyskie Mountains Based On Selected Indicators

“…Studies conducted on the Kola Peninsula (Russia), in its industrialised part [62], showed comparable concentrations of chromium and zinc and much higher concentrations of lead (7.4 times), strontium (2 times), copper (8.6 times), nickel (63.4 times) and iron (3 times) than in the study area. In the northern part of Estonia, being exposed to alkalisation by the cement plant [63,17], concentrations of chromium, lead, iron, zinc and copper were found to be about half as high as in the study area, but it should be noted that the authors did research on one-year-old needles.…”

A long-term influence of anthropogenic alkalization on molluscs biodiversity in an area affected by cement industry, Świętokrzyskie Mountains, South-Central Poland

“…The dust emitted from the Dyckerhoff Cement Plant was composed mostly of CaO (49.5-66.6%), SiO 2 (14,0-15.4%), Al 2 O 3 č(3.9-4.9%), K 2 O (3.8-4.1%) and others. It was confi rmed by studies of Świercz (1997, 2006) and Mandre and Lukjanova (2011). According to the particle size distribution studies, they contained 62% of fi ne fraction which increased the scope of their impact (Kumari and Pandey 2011, Świercz 1997, Tervahattu et al 2001).…”

“…Derome et al 1986, Świercz 1995, Świercz 2005, Ade-Ademilua and Obalola 2008, Addo et al 2013. Cement and lime industry emits large amounts of dust which, though included into non--toxic emission, disturbs stability of the environment (Mandre andLukjanowa 2011, Simpson et al 2012). Environmental effect of cement-lime industry, involving changes in species composition of animal and plant populations, alterations in physicochemical properties of soils, impairment of assimilation organs of plants and tree bark, have been addressed in numerous articles (Ade-Ademilua and Obalola 2008, Iqbal and Shafi g 2001, Simpson et al 2012, Świercz 2006, Tervahattu et all 2001, Jaworska et al 2010.…”

Industrial dust sulphate and its effects on biochemical and morphological characteristics of Morus (Morus alba) plant in NCR Delhi

“…A number of studies on plants serving as a sink of NO 2 , SO 2 and atmospheric aerosols have be en re porte d (Ash end en 19 79; Ali 19 92; Broadmeadow and Freer-smith 1996). However, there are very limited studies which have reported the role of dustfall deposition on foliar surface in controlling biochemical parameters (Mandre and Tuulmets 1997;Prusty et al 2005;Mandre and Lukjanova 2011).…”