The bark of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestis L.) as a biological indicator of atmospheric air pollution

Abstract

In dead bark layer 0f Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) exposed to the emission of aluminium works and the electric power plant "Skawina" as well as of chemical plants in Cracow, pH was determined and the content of F, S, Mg, Na, P, K, and Ca. The F content in the dead pine bark varied from 0.018 to 0.386 mg/g, and that of sulphur from 1.00 to 3.83 mg/g. A significant correlation was demonstrated between pH, and fluorine and calcium content in the bark. On the other hand, sulphur content was dependent on the amount of Na, K and Ca. For demonstrating contamination of the surface bark layer a test was applied consisting in evaluation of the germinating and development capacity of seeds. Fluorine content in pine dead bark layer reflects the F concentration in atmospheric air, it may, therefore, serve as indicator of the degree of air pollution with fluorine compounds.