Ozone Impact on Emission of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds in Three Tropical Tree Species From the Atlantic Forest Remnants in Southeast Brazil

Abstract

Plants emit a broad number of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) that can impact urban ozone (O3) production. Conversely, the O3 is a phytotoxic pollutant that causes unknown alterations in BVOC emissions from native plants. In this sense, here, we characterized the constitutive and O3-induced BVOCs for two (2dO3) and four (4dO3) days of exposure (O3 dose 80 ppb) and evaluated the O3 response by histochemical techniques to detect programmed cell death (PCD) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in three Brazilian native species. Croton floribundus Spreng, Astronium graveolens Jacq, and Piptadenia gonoacantha (Mart.) JF Macbr, from different groups of ecological succession (acquisitive and conservative), different carbon-saving defense strategies, and specific BVOC emissions. The three species emitted a very diverse BVOC composition: monoterpenes (MON), sesquiterpenes (SEQ), green leaf volatiles (GLV), and other compounds (OTC). C. floribundus is more acquisitive than A. graveolens. Their most representative BVOCs were methyl salicylate—MeSA (OTC), (Z) 3-hexenal, and (E)-2-hexenal (GLV), γ-elemene and (−)-β-bourbonene (SEQ) β-phellandrene and D-limonene (MON), while in A. graveolens were nonanal and decanal (OTC), and α-pinene (MON). Piptadenia gonoachanta is more conservative, and the BVOC blend was limited to MeSA (OTC), (E)-2-hexenal (GLV), and β-Phellandrene (MON). The O3 affected BVOCs and histochemical traits of the three species in different ways. Croton floribundus was the most O3 tolerant species and considered as an SEQ emitter. It efficiently reacted to O3 stress after 2dO3, verified by a high alteration of BVOC emission, the emergence of the compounds such as α-Ionone and trans-ß-Ionone, and the absence of H2O2 detection. On the contrary, A. graveolens, a MON-emitter, was affected by 2dO3 and 4dO3, showing increasing emissions of α-pinene and β-myrcene, (MON), γ-muurolene and β-cadinene (SEQ) and H2O2 accumulation. Piptadenia gonoachanta was the most sensitive and did not respond to BVOCs emission, but PCD and H2O2 were highly evidenced. Our results indicate that the BVOC blend emission, combined with histochemical observations, is a powerful tool to confirm the species’ tolerance to O3. Furthermore, our findings suggest that BVOC emission is a trade-off associated with different resource strategies of species indicated by the changes in the quality and quantity of BVOC emission for each species.

Ozone stress response of leaf BVOC emission and photosynthesis in mountain birch (Betula pubescens spp. czerepanovii) depends on leaf age

“…This aligns with responses seen in BVOC emissions to abiotic stress from O 3 exposure, where, depending on the plant species and its O 3 tolerance, emissions were both induced or reduced (Esposito et al., 2016 ; Kask et al., 2021 ; Peron et al., 2021 ; Vitale et al., 2008 ). Exposure to O 3 for extended periods also led to changes in the BVOC blend, mainly with induced MT emissions (Loreto et al., 2004 ; Moura et al., 2022 ; Rinnan et al., 2005 ). Induced emissions of SQT were also found to be positively correlated with increases in O 3 concentration (Bourtsoukidis et al., 2012 ; Moura et al., 2022 ).…”

“…Exposure to O 3 for extended periods also led to changes in the BVOC blend, mainly with induced MT emissions (Loreto et al., 2004 ; Moura et al., 2022 ; Rinnan et al., 2005 ). Induced emissions of SQT were also found to be positively correlated with increases in O 3 concentration (Bourtsoukidis et al., 2012 ; Moura et al., 2022 ). Apart from chronic O 3 exposure, it is also important to consider short‐term ozone exposure at high doses (acute stress) that can cause major harm to plants by inducing cell death and altering metabolic profiles without visual damage (Vainonen & Kangasjärvi, 2015 ).…”

Atmospheric concentrations of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes at urban Forests of São Paulo, SE-Brazil: winter and summertime observations in 2017-2018

“…The Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC), including isoprene, monoterpene, and sesquiterpenes, are emitted by vegetation and have been widely measured in several plant species worldwide (Loreto et al2008 Moura et al 2022). Despite this, BVOC measurements in the atmosphere are not as prevalent, except for isoprene, which has a signi cant impact on the atmosphere's oxidant capacity and has, therefore, been extensively investigated in the ambient air of forests and urban areas (Héllen et al, 2018; Cheng et al, 2018;Santos et al 2022).…”

“…al 2010, Bison et al 2017, Pedrosa et al 2020,Moura et al 2022). In our study, the negative correlation between the most of terpenes and ozone was more pronounced in the PEFI than USP site in both seasons.…”