Chloroplastic responses of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings to ozone exposure

Integrity of chloroplast membranes is essential to photosynthesis. Loss of thylakoid membrane integrity has been proposed as a consequence of ozone (O(3)) exposure and therefore may be a mechanistic basis for decreased photosynthetic rates commonly associated with ozone exposure. To investigate this hypothesis, Pinus ponderosa seedlings were exposed to ambient air or ozone concentrations maintained at 0.15 or 0.30 microliter l(-1) for 10 h day(-1) for 51 days during their second growing season. Over the course of the study, foliage samples were periodically collected for thylakoid membrane, chlorophyll and protein analyses. Additionally, gas-exchange measurements were made in conjunction with foliage sampling to verify that observed chloroplastic responses were associated with ozone-induced changes in photosynthesis.Needles exposed to elevated ozone exhibited decreases in chlorophyll a and b content. The decreases were dependent on the duration and intensity of ozone exposure. When based on equal amounts of chlorophyll, ozone-exposed sample tissue exhibited an increase in total protein. When based on equal amounts of protein, ozone-exposed samples exhibited an increase in 37 kDa proteins, possibly consisting of breakdown products, and a possible decrease in 68 kDa proteins, Rubisco small subunit. There was also a change in the ratio of Photosystem I protein complexes CPI and CPII that may have contributed to decreased photosynthesis. Net photosynthetic rates were decreased in the high ozone treatment suggesting that observed structural and biochemical changes in the chloroplast were associated with alterations of the photosynthetic process.     

Seasonal variation of gas exchange and pigmentation in branches of three grafted clones of mature ponderosa pine exposed to ozone and acid rain

Gas exchange and pigmentation responses of mature ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) branches to ozone and acid rain exposure were investigated using three grafted clones growing in a managed seed orchard. Exposure of one-year-old foliage to twice ambient ozone (2 x AMB) resulted in significant decreases in net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gsw) and pigmentation relative to charcoal-filtered (CF) and ambient (AMB) ozone treatments. Ozone effects on gas exchange and pigmentation were most pronounced during late-season and differed significantly among clones. Environmental parameters (e.g. light, vapor pressure deficit, and temperature) accounted for more variation in Pn than did cumulative ozone exposure. Minimal differences in gsw and Pn among ozone treatments occurred during seasonal periods of high temperature and evaporative demand. Negative effects of 2 x AMB ozone on gsw and pigmentation were greatest for the clones having highest and lowest phenotypic vigor under ambient conditions; the clone of moderate phenotypic vigor under ambient conditions was least sensitive to ozone. Application of simulated acid rain of pH 3.0, pH 5.1 or no rain (NR) had little impact on gas exchange or pigmentation.     

Seasonal bioavailability of sediment-associated heavy metals along the Mississippi river floodplain.

A value of simultaneously extracted metal to acid-volatile sulfide (SEM-AVS) can provide important information regarding metal availability in anaerobic sediment. SEM and AVS concentrations were obtained by the cold-acid purge-and-trap technique during spring and summer at six locations along the Mississippi River floodplain. SEM-AVS values and AVS concentrations did not vary significantly between locations during both seasons. AVS concentrations were significantly greater during summer than spring, resulting in significantly lower SEM-AVS values in summer. Total SEM concentrations did not significantly vary between seasons or specific locations. SEM-AVS values were greater than one at each location during both seasons. Sediment metal toxicity was predicted to be absent for benthic organisms along the river floodplain.