Effects of simulated acid rain on tropical trees of the coastal zone of Campeche, Mexico

Abstract

Native trees species of the coastal zone of Campeche Mexico belonging to different families (Blood wood tree (Haematoxylum campechianum L.), White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn), Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.), Button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.), Pink flower tree (Tabebuia rosea Bertol), Mahogany (Switenia macrophyla King) and Red cedar (Cedrela odorata L.)) were exposed to simulated acid rain for six weeks to assess visible foliar damage and effects on sulphur, nutrients, and photosynthetic pigment contents. A total of 245 seedlings were exposed four times a week from June to July under controlled conditions by using a simulated rainwater distribution system designed to reproduce rain events of 10 mm. Six treatments with five repetitions each were established at drought and irrigation conditions at different pH values. The results suggest that the water stress condition is related to the severity of the effects shown by individuals exposed to acid rain at pH values of 2.0 and 3.0. A significant increase in sulphur contents was observed on mature leaf tissues, being greater in the Mahogany, Red Cedar and Blood wood trees at pH 2 treatment under drought conditions. The chlorophyll a/b ratio showed a significant decrease in the Mahogany, White Mangrove and Blood wood trees, and nutrient levels were sensitive to the lowest pH values. According to the results, it could be observed that the Red mangrove, Button mangrove, Red cedar and Blood wood trees were more sensitive to acid rain. The Horsfall-Barratt method was applied to develop a severity scale; however, it is necessary to conduct a field survey for long-term exposure in parcels focused on sensible species to obtain a more precise scale.

Species Classification and Carbon Stock Assessment of Mangroves in Qi’ao Island with Worldview-3 Imagery

“…In addition, herbicides cause mangrove leaves to yellow and wilt, inhibiting their photosynthetic processes [20]. Exposure of mangroves to acid rain reduces the ratio of chlorophyll a to b, further affecting photosynthesis [21]. Of note is the effect of high atmospheric ozone concentrations caused by climate change, which inhibits plant growth, reduces leaf productivity, and decreases photosynthetic rates-a phenomenon also observed in mangroves [22][23][24].…”

Anotaciones sobre el Ph, Herbivoria y Apertura Estomática en las Hojas de Rhizophora Harrisonii en Dos Zonas del Golfo de Guayaqul

“…La regresión lineal como elemento de medición de las hojas aplicada por Pentón et al (2006), concluyeron que existe una alta correlación entre las mediciones lineales y el área foliar, superior a R2= 0,99, hace que este procedimiento sea apropiado para la estimación en plantas jóvenes de morera. Cerón et al (2009) demostraron que el mangle y otras especies maderables en Campeche -México, presentan manchas de color café o naranja como señal de necrosis o muerte celular cuando se atomizan con ozono. Así mismo Sauceda -Acosta et al, (2015), reportaron a nivel de afectación en los propágulos de Rhizophora harrisonii por Poecilips rhizophorae (Coleóptera: Scolytidae).…”