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Toluene emissions from plants
Author(s) -
Heiden A. C.,
Kobel K.,
Komenda M.,
Koppmann R.,
Shao M.,
Wildt J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl900220
Subject(s) - toluene , sunflower , helianthus annuus , environmental science , scots pine , chemistry , environmental chemistry , pinus <genus> , horticulture , botany , biology , organic chemistry
The emission of toluene from different plants was observed in continuously stirred tank reactors and in field measurements. For plants growing without stress, emission rates were low and ranged from the detection limit up to 2·10 −16 mol·cm −2 ·s −1 . Under conditions of stress, the emission rates exceeded 10 −14 mol·cm −2 ·s −1 . Exposure of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L. cv. Gigantheus) to 13 CO 2 resulted in 13 C‐labeling of the emitted toluene on a time scale of hours. Although no biochemical pathway for the production of toluene is known, these results indicate that toluene is synthesized by the plants. The emission rates of toluene from sunflower are dependent on nutrient supply and wounding. Since α‐pinene emission rates are also influenced by these factors, toluene and α‐pinene emissions show a high correlation. During pathogen attack on Scots pines ( Pinus sylvestris L.) significant toluene emissions were observed. In this case emissions of toluene and α‐pinene also show a good correlation. Toluene emissions were also found in field experiments with pines using branch enclosures.