Open AccessPlant reactions as indicators of air pollution in the vicinity of a copper smelter
Author(s) -
Jerzy Fabiszewski,
Teresa Brej,
Krzysztof Bielecki
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta societatis botanicorum poloniae
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 2083-9480
pISSN - 0001-6977
DOI - 10.5586/asbp.1987.033
Subject(s) - lichen , epiphyte , environmental chemistry , environmental science , photosynthesis , smelting , pollutant , respiration , pollution , chlorophyll , ecology , botany , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Several higher plant species and epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. were examined in the vicinity of a copper smelter. The investigations included field experiments. Ecological surveys of some biotests and bioreactions using exposure of higher plants and transplanted lichens were critically appraised. Such basic processes of plants as photosynthesis and respiration, as well as the quantitative composition of chlorophyll pigments were used as biotests. The results indicate that the photosynthesis intensity is the most useful measure for the estimation of the effect of both heavy metal and SO2 pollutants. The degrees of chlorophyll degradation were in keeping with visual symptoms of injuries. For the ecological monitoring the measurement of respiration intensity, especially in lichens is not recommended. All applied biotests are presented in maps illustrating the degree of degradation of the area examined