Long-term responses of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to the contamination of light soils with diesel oil

Abstract

Research into trees plays a very important role in evaluations of soil contamination with diesel oil. Trees are ideal for reclaiming contaminated soils because their large biomass renders them more resistant to higher concentrations of pollutants. In the literature, there is a general scarcity of long-term studies performed on trees, in particular European beeches. The aim of this study was to evaluate the responses of Scots pines and European beeches grown for 8 years on soil contaminated with diesel oil. Selected morphological and physiological parameters of trees were analyzed. The biomass yield of Scots pines was not significantly correlated with increasing concentrations of diesel oil, but it was more than 700% higher than in European beeches. Scots pines were taller and had a larger stem diameter than European beeches during the 8-year study. The diameter of trees grown on the most contaminated soil was reduced 1.5-fold in Scots pines and more than twofold in European beeches. The length of Scots pine needles from the most contaminated treatment decreased by 50% relative to control needles. The shortest needles were heaviest. The fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of needle length was highest in Scots pines grown on the most contaminated soil, whereas the reverse was noted in the FA of needle weight. Diesel oil decreased the concentrations of chlorophylls a and b , total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. The Fv/Fm ratio of needles and leaves was influenced by the tested concentrations of diesel oil. The results of the study indicate that the Scots pine better adapts (grows more rapidly and produces higher biomass) to long-term soil contamination with diesel oil than the European beech. In European beeches, growth inhibition and leaf discoloration (a decrease in chlorophyll content) were observed already after the first year of the experiment, which indicates that 1-year-old seedlings of European beech are robust bioindicators of soil contamination with diesel oil.

Immobilization of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) by Mineral-Based Amendments: Remediation of Contaminated Soils in Post-Industrial Sites

“…The applied plants should be characterized by low fertilizer, water, and pesticide requirements, high efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus, and they should be well adapted to the local climate [44]. Previous research [45,46] and the present findings indicate that PTE impair chlorophyll synthesis and decrease the chlorophyll content of plants. Plant resistance to toxic levels of PTE varies across species and varieties.…”

Exploration of Chlorophyll a Fluorescence and Plant Gas Exchange Parameters as Indicators of Drought Tolerance in Perennial Ryegrass

“…Urban green areas fulfill numerous functions, the more important being: the reduction of pollutants by phytoremediation [1,2,3] and the regulation of the urban microclimate [4]. On that basis, the concept of green infrastructure was introduced.…”

The Effect of Mineral-Based Mixtures Containing Coal Fly Ash and Sewage Sludge on Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Selected Morphological Parameters of Deciduous and Coniferous Trees

“…Coniferous trees were less resistant to adverse habitat conditions. In contrast, Bęś et al [1] found that Scots pine adapted better to soils contaminated with diesel fuel than European beech.…”

“…The percentage inhibition of seed germination (GI) and root growth (RI) in each plant was calculated with the following formula: GI (RI) = (A − B)/A × 100 (1) where: A-seed germination and root length in control soil (OECD), B-seed germination and root length in experimental soil (mineral-based mixture containing CFA and sewage sludge).…”

“…Trees are recommended for land reclamation programs in degraded areas because they store large amounts of biomass, which increases their tolerance to high pollution levels [1]. In the literature, there is a general scarcity of long-term studies investigating trees that grow on substrates containing mixtures of coal fly ash (CFA) and sewage sludge (SS).…”