Air pollutant sensitivity of pea plants when simulating conditions around sulfur dioxide point sources

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5996784

Kobriger, J M

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) are often grown in areas where coal-powered generating stations are present and are exposed to sulfur dioxide from these stations. In addition to sulfur dioxide, ozone is nearly always present in these areas. Present studies were designed to determine sensitivity of peas to sulfur dioxide and ozone at dosages simulating those around stations in Wisconsin. Peas were exposed to several concentrations of ozone and sulfur dioxide, singly or in combination, for two hours. Injury was observed with ozone concentrations above 0.09 ..mu..l l/sup -1/ and sulfur dioxide concentrations above 0.66 ..mu..l l/sup -1/. Injury was increased by concentrations of ozone as low as 0.02 ..mu..l l/sup -1/ when in combination with sulfur dioxide, and by concentrations of sulfur dioxide as low as 0.12 ..mu..l l/sup -1/ when in combination with ozone. Peas pretreated with ozone at non-injurious concentrations prior to exposure with ozone-sulfur dioxide mixtures at injurious concentrations had less injury than those not pretreated. Reduced injury in pretreated plants was associated with stomatal closure. Plants exposed to ozone-sulfur dioxide mixtures for two hours at different times of the day were injured most at midday. Increased injury at midday was associated with increases in stomatal conductances. However, changes in injury and conductance were not associated with abscisic acid concentrations. Peas preconditioned for six days at 77% relative humidity prior to exposure with ozone and/or sulfur dioxide were injured more than those preconditioned at 36% relative humidity. Increased injury at the higher humidity was associated with greater stomatal conductances. When peas were subjected to 31 or 67% relative humidities during pollutant exposures, injury was similar.

• OSTI ID: 5996784
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
CHALCOGENIDES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
HUMIDITY
INJURIES
LEGUMINOSAE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PISUM
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
POWER PLANTS
SENSITIVITY
SIMULATION
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
SYNERGISM
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TOXICITY