Laser photoacoustic spectroscopy of biosystems gas exchange with the atmosphere

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evolution by some plants exposed to elevated concentration of pollutants and pressure decrease is studied using a photoacoustic spectrometer with a CO₂ laser. The measurements show a considerable CO₂ evolution by all kinds of the test plants. The quantity of CO₂ emitted by pea seedlings at 8 kPa, for example, exceeds the control one by about 20 times (24 h after the exposure start). The exposure of pea seedlings to C₂H₄ and O₃ at various concentrations also increases CO₂ evolution: the 48-h exposure of test plants to C₂H₄ (at 0.01 ppm) increases CO₂ evolution by approximately 100% with respect to the control plants.