Responses of growth, photosynthesis and VOC emissions of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. Exposure to elevated CO2 and/or elevated O3 in an urban area

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2012 Mar;88(3):443-8. doi: 10.1007/s00128-011-0462-1. Epub 2011 Nov 12.

Abstract

Responses of growth, photosynthesis and emission of volatile organic compounds of Pinus tabulaeformis exposed to elevated CO(2) (700 ppm) and O(3) (80 ppb) were studied in open top chambers. Elevated CO(2) increased growth, but it did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, or the effective quantum yield of photosystem II electron transport after 90 d of gas exposure. Elevated O(3) decreased growth (by 42.2% in needle weight and 25.8% in plant height), net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance after 90 d of exposure, but its negative effects were alleviated by elevated CO(2). Elevated O(3) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the emission rate of volatile organic compounds, which may be a helpful response to protect photosynthetic apparatus against O(3) damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / pharmacology*
  • Air Pollutants / toxicity
  • Carbon Dioxide / pharmacology*
  • Cities
  • Ozone / toxicity*
  • Photosynthesis / drug effects*
  • Pinus / drug effects
  • Pinus / physiology*
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / metabolism*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Ozone