CHLOROPHYLLS AND CAROTENOIDS IN NEEDLES OF DAMAGED FIR (ABIES ALBA MILL.) FROM RISNJAK NATIONAL PARK IN CROATIA

Abstract

Chlorophyll and carotenoid content was studied in needles of damaged silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) trees growing in a polluted habitat, Risnjak National Park, and of almost undamaged ones growing at a much less polluted site, Donja Dobra, both locations in the Gorski Kotar region. Chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophylls and carotenoids were lower in needles from the polluted Risnjak site than in those from the unpolluted Donja Dobra site. The data indicate an increase of pigment content over the course of a year ; and somewhat smaller content in the first in comparison with the second experimental year. The chlorophyll a:b ratios varied independently of pollution level and locality.