Original scientific paper

The annual changes of chloroplast pigments content in current- and previous-year needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) exposed to cement dust pollution

H. Lepeduš
V. Cesar
M. Suver

Abstract

Chloroplast pigments were shown to be very sensitive to various environmental influences. Changes in chlorophyll and carotenoid content were investigated in Norway spruce needles exposed to alkaline dust emitted by the cement industry. Pigments were extracted from current-year and previous-year needles and quantified spectrophotometrically. In both needle generations all measured pigments were reduced in dust-exposed needles compared to needles harvested from areas not polluted by cement dust. This was due to deceleration of the biosynthetic processes rather than degradation of pigments. Chlorophyll b content appeared to be more sensitive than chlorophyll a in current-year needles while in previous-year needles chlorophyll a was more affected. Total carotenoids needed a longer period of time to reach nearly the same level as in controls. The progression of pigment decline in previous-year needles appeared not to be dramatically accelerated. It might thus be concluded that the spruce needles had sufficient biosynthetic capacity to prevent irreversible damage by cement dust.

Keywords

Picea abies; chlorophyll; carotenoids; cement dust; air pollution

Hrčak ID:

3538

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/3538

Publication date:

5.6.2003.

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