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Toxic effects of high copper content on physiological processes in Pinus sylvestris L.

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Photosynthetica

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of increased copper contents on selected physiological processes in oneyear-old Pinus sylvestris L. needles from a former German timber storage area in Warcino Forest District, a subject to an environmental quality survey. Samples were collected from the area with the high copper content in the soil. The control area was a nearby pine tree stand showing unimpeded growth. The significant growth inhibition was found in dwarf shoots and whole needles, increased water content, and reduced dry mass were also observed. The chlorophyll content was lowered, while 20% higher electrolyte leakage was found. Chlorophyll a fluorescence indicated only higher values of the nonphotochemical quenching in P. sylvestris from the Cu-site. Significant differences were shown in the rate of gas exchange measured by changes in carbon dioxide or oxygen concentration. The intensity of photosynthesis in needles of P. sylvestris from the Cu-site measured by CO2 uptake was considerably higher than that of oxygen production. The rate of respiration in the needles from the Cu-site measured by the amount of released CO2 was higher only by 15%, while according to O2 consumed, the rate increased by 30% in relation to the control. Our results suggest that the copper accumulation in P. sylvestris needles affected the morphology and physiology of the studied organs.

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Abbreviations

Chl:

chlorophyll

control:

control areas of Warcino Forest District

Cu-site:

areas with higher copper concentration in Warcino Forest District

DM:

dry mass

F0 :

minimal fluorescence yield of the dark-adapted state

Fv/Fm :

maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry

NPQ:

nonphotochemical quenching

P N :

net photosynthetic rate

R :

respiration

qP :

photochemical quenching coefficient

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University, 30 084, Cracow, Poland

    K. Możdżeń, G. Rut & A. Rzepka

  2. Department of Forest Soil Science, Institute of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, 31 425, Cracow, Poland

    T. Wanic

  3. Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Human Biology, Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University, 31 054, Cracow, Poland

    T. Łaciak

Authors
  1. K. Możdżeń
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  2. T. Wanic
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  3. G. Rut
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  4. T. Łaciak
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  5. A. Rzepka
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Correspondence to K. Możdżeń.

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This work was supported by the Department of Plant Physiology, Pedagogical University in Krakow and Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, from statutory research funds.

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Możdżeń, K., Wanic, T., Rut, G. et al. Toxic effects of high copper content on physiological processes in Pinus sylvestris L.. Photosynthetica 55, 193–200 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-016-0229-3

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