Publication
Title
The response of the foliar antioxidant system and stable isotopes ( and ) of white willow to low-level air pollution
Author
Abstract
In this study we aimed to determine and elucidate the effect of ambient air pollution on the foliar antioxidant system and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of white willow (Salix alba L.). We grew white willow in uniform potting soil in the near vicinity of sixteen air quality monitoring stations in Belgium where nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter concentrations were continuously measured. The trees were exposed to ambient air during six months (AprilSeptember 2011), and, thereafter, the degree of lipid peroxidation and foliar content of antioxidant molecules (ascorbate, glutathione, polyphenols, flavonoids), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase) and foliar stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes were measured. We found that lipid peroxidation was caused by air pollution stress, arising from high ambient NO2 concentrations, as shown by an increased amount of malondialdehyde. The antioxidant system was activated by increasing the amount of polyphenols at monitoring stations with a high atmospheric NO2 and low O3 concentration, while no increase of key enzymes (e.g., ascorbate, glutathione) was observed. The δ13C also decreased with increasing NO2 concentrations and decreasing O3 concentrations, probably reflecting a decreased net photosynthesis and/or a concomitant decrease of 13CO2 in the atmosphere. Shade also influenced foliar δ13C and the content of leaf ascorbate and glutathione.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Plant physiology and biochemistry. - Paris, 1987, currens
Publication
Paris : 2013
ISSN
0981-9428
DOI
10.1016/J.PLAPHY.2013.03.007
Volume/pages
67 (2013) , p. 154-161
ISI
000319711700019
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 17.04.2013
Last edited 04.03.2024
To cite this reference