Publication | Closed Access
Air Pollution Damage to Vegetation
45
Citations
0
References
1955
Year
Plant AnalysisEngineeringBotanyForestryAir QualityAir Pollution ControlTree DiseasePollution AssessmentAir Pollution DamageEnvironmental ChemistryVegetation-atmosphere InteractionsPheophytin ContentToxicologyAir Pollution ExposurePollutant TransportPhotosynthesisHealth SciencesPollutionEnvironmental PollutionDetroit River AreaEcotoxicologyPhytotoxicityEnvironmental ToxicologyAir PollutionPlant Physiology
An experimental study has been conducted in order to determine the effects of air pollution exposure and damage on the chlorophyll and pheophytin content of plants. Conifers were selected as the most suitable species for study purposes. A number of collections were analyzed from pine and spruce trees growing in the Detroit River area of Canada. Evidence from these experiments indicates that acid gases (predominantly SO/sub 2/) convert the chlorophyll pigments into the corresponding pheophytins. Transformation of an appreciable proportion of chlorophyll to pheophytin is accompanied by visible symptoms in the tissue. The effect of SO/sub 2/ injury to white pine leaves in the vicinity of a nickel-copper smelter area is discussed.