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Ozone effects on three Sambucus species.
I Cano1, V Calatayud, J Cerveró
1Fundación C.E.A.M., Charles R. Darwin 14, Parc Tecnològic, Paterna, 46980, Valencia, Spain.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|March 31, 2007
Summary
Elderberry (Sambucus) species show visible injury and physiological damage from ozone exposure. Sambucus ebulus, a widespread European herb, is particularly sensitive and suitable for ozone biomonitoring.
Area of Science:
- Plant science
- Environmental science
- Biomonitoring
Background:
- Ozone is a significant air pollutant affecting vegetation.
- Understanding plant responses to ozone is crucial for ecological health assessments.
- Sambucus species are common across Europe, with varying sensitivities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different ozone concentrations on three Sambucus species.
- To determine the sensitivity of Sambucus ebulus, Sambucus nigra, and Sambucus racemosa to ozone.
- To evaluate the potential of S. ebulus for large-scale biomonitoring.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of Sambucus species to charcoal-filtered air (control), 40 ppb ozone (NF+), and 70 ppb ozone (NF++).
- Assessment of visible injury, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and net photosynthesis.
- Complementary study in 2004 on S. ebulus to confirm physiological changes.
Main Results:
- Sambucus ebulus exhibited higher sensitivity to ozone than S. nigra and S. racemosa.
- Visible injury occurred in some plants below the AOT40 threshold.
- Ozone decreased chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and net photosynthesis in sensitive species.
Conclusions:
- Sambucus ebulus is highly sensitive to ozone pollution.
- Ozone negatively impacts key physiological processes in elderberry species.
- S. ebulus is a promising candidate for widespread biomonitoring of ozone levels in Europe.
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