Ekofiziološke adaptacije vrsta Pinus nigra Arn., Аesculus hippocastanum L. i Platanus acerifolia (Ait.) Willd. u urbanim sredinama sa različitim izvorima zagađenja
Ecophysiological adaptations of Pinus nigra Arn., Аesculus hippocastanum L. and Platanus acerifolia (Ait.) Willd. species in urban environments with different sources of pollution
Abstract:
Urban habitats are under strong anthropogenic influence and are often
characterized by intense air, water and soil pollution originating from various stationary
and mobile sources. The specific type of pollutants in these habitats are metals that due
to their toxic, persistent and nonbiodegradable properties accumulate in the soil.
Research was conducted in urban parks in Pančevo, Smederevo, Obrenovac and
Belgrade that are exposed to pollution by chemical elements, including toxic metals
originating from various sources. Research included plant and soil analyses. For
ecophysiological research, three woody plant species that have been successfully grown
in urban areas were selected: Pinus nigra Arn., Aesculus hippocastanum L. i Platanus
acerifolia (Ait.) Willd. The central aim and subject of this doctoral dissertation was to
define the factors that limit the functioning of plants, and to determine their
ecophysiological characteristics and adaptive responses. Special attention was paid to
the problem of pollution by toxic metals and metalloids, their mobility and availability
to plants, as well as their impact on physiological processes in plants (photosynthesis
efficiency and photosynthetic pigment content).
Analyses of the physical and chemical properties of the soils showed that urban
soils are characterized by high proportion of a sand fraction, a low content of
hygroscopic moisture, organic carbon and nitrogen and an alkaline reaction, but also a
favorable C/N ratio for mineralization of organic matter and release of essential
minerals for plants. The limiting factors (toxic levels of B, Cr, Ni and Pb measured in
soils from urban parks) in synergy with high temperatures and low precipitation during
a significant part of the vegetation season, influenced the functioning of the examined
plant species in urban habitats.
Analysis of the chemical element contents in pine needles and leaves revealed
species differences, and also that the examined species were exposed to toxic
concentrations of B and Sr and, at the same time, deficits of the essential elements, Cu,
Mn and Zn. Generally, in P. nigra, A. hippocastanum and P. acerifolia, differences in
photosynthetic efficiency, pigment contents and in morphological symptoms of injury
were observed. In spite of the above, all the investigated species, first of all A.
hippocastanum and P. acerifolia, exhibited a high potential for tolerance to stress
pollution by toxic metals and metalloids, which makes them suitable for planting in
urban parks and industrial zones. These species represent a significant resource for
further research.
Keywords:
Urban habitat; Urban soil; BCR sequential extraction; Metals; Metalloids; Pinus nigra Arn.; Aesculus hippocastanum L.; Platanus acerifolia (Ait.) Willd.; Photosynthetic efficiency; Photosynthetic pigmentsSource:
Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2018, 1-229Funding / projects:
- Ecophysiological adaptive strategies of plants in conditions of multiple stress (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173018)
URI
http://uvidok.rcub.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2765https://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3139