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Effects of atmospheric pollution on vegetation

Abstract

In September, 1953, two sections of the British Association (Botany and Forestry) jointly discussed the effects of various components of air pollution. Conclusions reached included the position that the symptoms of ill health in plants that have been subjected to a polluted fog are due not so much to reduction in availability of light as to the presence of toxic substances in the atmosphere. Examples of these symptoms include shedding of flowers and leaves, blackening and death of buds and flowers, scorching of foliage, and complete destruction of more sensitive plants. Sulfur dioxide was identified as one of the more important toxic substances. Practical remedies for the problem were discussed, and the currently-known dose-response relationships (concentrations in excess of 0.5 ppm were known to cause lesions on some plants) were defined. Instances of reduced growth of crop plants and the inhibition of development of lichens and mosses were recounted. The complex relationships between soil condition and air pollution of the growth of plants were discussed.
Authors:
Publication Date:
Oct 10, 1953
Product Type:
Journal Article
Reference Number:
EDB-86-045060
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Nature (London); (United Kingdom); Journal Volume: 172:4380
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; AIR POLLUTION; BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS; SULFUR DIOXIDE; DAMAGE; DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS; INHIBITION; LICHENS; MEETINGS; MOSSES; ORNAMENTAL PLANTS; PLANT GROWTH; PLANTS; RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS; SMOKES; SOILS; SOOT; SYMPTOMS; AEROSOLS; ALGAE; CHALCOGENIDES; COLLOIDS; DISPERSIONS; DOCUMENT TYPES; FUNGI; GROWTH; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; POLLUTION; RESIDUES; SOLS; SULFUR COMPOUNDS; SULFUR OXIDES; 560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)
OSTI ID:
6290368
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: CODEN: NATUA
Submitting Site:
HEDB
Size:
Pages: 659-661
Announcement Date:
Mar 01, 1986

Citation Formats

Metcalfe, C R. Effects of atmospheric pollution on vegetation. United Kingdom: N. p., 1953. Web.
Metcalfe, C R. Effects of atmospheric pollution on vegetation. United Kingdom.
Metcalfe, C R. 1953. "Effects of atmospheric pollution on vegetation." United Kingdom.
@misc{etde_6290368,
title = {Effects of atmospheric pollution on vegetation}
author = {Metcalfe, C R}
abstractNote = {In September, 1953, two sections of the British Association (Botany and Forestry) jointly discussed the effects of various components of air pollution. Conclusions reached included the position that the symptoms of ill health in plants that have been subjected to a polluted fog are due not so much to reduction in availability of light as to the presence of toxic substances in the atmosphere. Examples of these symptoms include shedding of flowers and leaves, blackening and death of buds and flowers, scorching of foliage, and complete destruction of more sensitive plants. Sulfur dioxide was identified as one of the more important toxic substances. Practical remedies for the problem were discussed, and the currently-known dose-response relationships (concentrations in excess of 0.5 ppm were known to cause lesions on some plants) were defined. Instances of reduced growth of crop plants and the inhibition of development of lichens and mosses were recounted. The complex relationships between soil condition and air pollution of the growth of plants were discussed.}
journal = []
volume = {172:4380}
journal type = {AC}
place = {United Kingdom}
year = {1953}
month = {Oct}
}