Sample Record for Search: Air Pollution by Substance

Uptake and Distribution of 35S-Sulfate in Needles and Roots of Spruce Seedlings as Affected by Exposure to SO2 and H2S
Tausz, Michael, Karl-Franzens-Universitat Graz, Graz, Austria; Weidner, Wilfried; Wonisch, Astrid; De Kok, Luit J.; Grill, Dieter
Environmental and Experimental Botany v50, n3, p211(10) Dec 03
Document Type: research article
Language: English
Availability: Full text available from Congressional Information Service at 1-800-227-2477. Article order code: A.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere can be toxic to plants but also may provide sulfur (S) nutrition to plants. The relative contributions of pedospheric and atmospheric S to Norway spruce seedlings were studied. Young trees were grown in a nutrient solution containing labeled sulfate and also exposed to atmospheric SO2 or H2S for 6 d. Exposure greatly increased the total S concentration in needles, mainly due to higher needle levels of S, water-soluble non-protein thiols, and organic S. SO2 and H2S exposure caused small but significant increases in root S compounds. Changes occurring upon SO2 and H2 exposure suggest that spruce could switch from pedospheric sulfate to atmospheric S for use in growth. In needles, the amount of labeled S declined in total organic S and glutathione fractions but rose in the sulfate fraction, indicating continued import of S taken up by roots into the needles even though less labeled S was being channeled into synthesis in needles. Much of the sulfate increase was from unlabeled S, suggesting metabolic oxidation of H2S and SO2 to sulfate. Increased root S compound levels were mainly from unlabeled S, suggesting sulfur imports from foliage.
Special Features: 12 graph(s) 24 reference(s)

Subjects: