Plant developmental system to measure the impact of pollutants in rain water
Fertilization and spermatozoid motility in gametophytes of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) are very sensitive to low pH and additions of sulfate, nitrate, and chloride. Spermatozoid motility at pH levels 6.0, 5.5, and 5.1 was about 70%, 50%, and 30%, respectively, of values obtained at pH 6.1, 2 to 4 minutes after exposure. Motility at sulfate concentrations of 43.3, 86.6, and 173.2 ..mu..M was about 60%, 45%, and 35%, respectively, of values obtained at pH 6.1. Fertilization decreased as the pH decreased below pH 6.1. Fertilization after 3.5 hr exposure to pH 5.5, 5.1, and 4.5 was about 90%, 75%, and 60%, respectively, of values obtained at pH 6.1. Fertilization values at sulfate concentrations of 43.3, 86.6, and 173.2 ..mu..M were about 85%, 75%, and 60%, respectively, of values obtained at pH 6.1. Based upon these results, fertilization in bracken fern may be a good indicator of pollutants in rainwater.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 5473240
- Journal Information:
- J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 29:11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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A plant developmental system to measure the impact of pollutants in rain water
Effect of buffered solutions and sulfate on vegetative and sexual development in gametophytes of Pteridium aquilinum
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHLORIDES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
FERNS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
FERTILITY
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NITRATES
REPRODUCTION
SULFATES
WATER POLLUTION
DATA COMPILATION
PH VALUE
RAIN WATER
SPERMATOZOA
TABLES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
DATA
DATA FORMS
DISEASES
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
WATER
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)