The macro- and microelemental content of Pinus sylvestris L. and Pinus nigra J.F. Am. needles in Cladonio-Pinetum habitat of the Słowiński National Park

Abstract

The study of pine needles was carried out in 2005 within the confines of the Słowiński National Park (SNP). In soil from Cladonio-Pinetum habitat, most macro-and microelements accumulate in the organic sub-horizons (Ol and Ofh), however the nutrient content of the mineral horizons was very low. Needles of Pinus sylvestris (Ps) were characterised by higher content of N, P, K, Ca, and Fe in comparison to needles of Pinus nigra (Pn); whereas needles of Pn were higher in content of Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn than those of Ps. Two-year-old needles contained on average more Ca, Mn, Cu, Fe then one-year-old needles for both species. A Mann Whitney test confirmed statistically-significant differences in the dynamics of P, K, Mg, Zn and Mn concentrations both in 1-year-old and 2-year-old needles examined in Cladonio-Pinetum. The greatest differences between research forests stands of Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra were in the sum contents of elements accumulated in the needles. In the needles of Pinus nigra there was notably higher accumulation of P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn than in the needles of Pinus sylvestris.

Accumulation of heavy metals in needles and bark of Pinus species

“…Substantially higher Mn content was found in the needles of P. sylvestris and P. nigra at the area of SPN due to strongly acidic reaction of soils increasing the availability of manganese compounds for the root system. Concentrations of zinc in the needles of the examined species of Pinus were close to the results obtained in the case of P. sylvestris and P. nigra at the area of SPN (Parzych and Sobisz 2012). The average zinc content in the over-ground parts of the plants, which were not under the impact of pollution, usually remains at the level of 10-70 mg/kg.…”

“…In group I, P. armandii, P. banksiana and P. sylvestris are found, which have needles characterized by a relatively high iron, manganese and zinc content (Fe > Mn > Zn) and P. mugo, P. nigra and P. wallchiana, characterized by a high concentration of iron, zinc and manganese (Fe>Zn>Mn). Differences in accumulation of Zn and Mn in the needles of P. sylvestris and P. nigra was also found during the research done by Parzych and Sobisz (2012).…”

“…1), not exceeding however, the acceptable level (<375 mg/kg) (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias 1999). Iron content in the samples of needles P. nigra from Košice were slightly higher than the ones which were found at the territory of Poland at the Słowiński National Park (SPN) (Parzych and Sobisz 2012), which reflects the impact of anthropogenic factors. Low content of Mn in the needles of P. wallchiana resulted from the negative reaction of the soil (Tab.…”

“…and Casal 2006), nutritional requirements (Parzych and Sobisz 2012), production and use of timber (Espelta et al 2003), quantity and quality of the organic litterfall as a source of nutritional components (Astel et al 2009), impact of the tree crowns on the properties of soil (Polláková et al 2015), as well as monitoring research. In Poland and in many European countries, 1 year old needles and 2 years old needles of P. sylvestris and P. nigra as well as their bark are used for evaluation of the level of air pollution (Lamppu and Huttunen 2002;Yilmaz and Zengin 2003;Świercz 2006;Chrzan 2013;Jonczak 2013, 2014).…”

Content of some nutrients in Scots pine, silver birch and Norway maple in an urbanized environment

“…Such elements as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur and some trace elements play an essential role in the formation of tree biomass (WAng et al 1996, rytter, stener 2003, WAshburn, Arthur 2003, sArAMAki, hytonen 2004, rAdeMAcher 2005, Hilszczańska, sierota 2012, PArzych, sobisz 2012, hellsten et al 2013. Depending on a tree species and development stage, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium are absorbed at different rates (MAlik, kArnet 2009, PAlviAinen et al 2010.…”