The impact of NOx and SO2 emissions from a magnesite processing industry on morphophysiological and anatomical features of plant bioindicators

• Published in: Acta physiologiae plantarum 2022, Vol.44 (8), Article 77
• Main Authors: Kateivas, Katielle Silva Brito, Cairo, Paulo Araquém Ramos, Neves, Pedro Henrique Santos, Ribeiro, Roger Sebastian Silva, Machado, Leohana Martins, Leitão, Carlos André Espolador
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Amorphous materials; Bioindicators; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomonitoring; Chlorophyll; Emissions; Epidermis; Indicator species; Leaf area; Leaves; Life Sciences; Magnesite; Magnesium carbonate; Mesophyll; Mining industry; Necrosis; Nitrogen oxides; Original Article; Parenchyma; Plant Anatomy/Development; Plant Biochemistry; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Plant species; Plants; Pollutants; Pollution control; Processing industry; Stems; Stomata; Sulfur dioxide; Thickening
• ISSN: 0137-5881; 1861-1664
• DOI: 10.1007/s11738-022-03411-9

Three bioindicator plant species— Psidium cattleianum Sabine, Lolium multiflorum Lam., and Mangifera indica L.—were referenced for a study on morphophysiological and anatomical changes resulting from atmospheric NO x and SO 2 emissions from magnesite processing by a mining industry in Brumado city, Brazil. Species were pot-grown in the field, for 9‒11 months, in the following locations: (1) full-time exposure to NO x and SO 2 emissions and (2) free of the pollutant plume influence (reference area). Pollutant plume reduced plant height, except in M. indica . Total leaf area, leaf amount, and dry mass of leaf, stem, and root were lower in P. cattleianum and L. multiflorum , and higher in M. indica , except for stem and root dry mass, where there was no difference between treatments. Chlorophyll content reduced in P. cattleianum , showing chlorosis and necrosis, but it was not affected in L. multiflorum and M. indica . Soluble sugar content was not affected in all species. Starch content was higher in P. cattleianum , unchanged in L. multiflorum , and lower in M. indica . Pollutant plume induced higher stomatal frequency, and some deformities and irregular shapes in M. indica . Amorphous material-clogged ostioles in leaf stomata were mainly found in P. cattleianum . Thickening of the adaxial epidermis, palisade parenchyma, and mesophyll were observed in P. cattleianum . In M. indica , only epidermis thickening was observed. In L. multiflorum , mesophyll thickness was smaller under pollutant plume. We concluded that atmospheric NO x and SO 2 emissions negatively affected growth-related morphophysiological and anatomic features at different levels, depending on the species.