The effect of sulfur dioxide upon the metabolic level of adenosine triphosphate

Abstract

The ATP content of lodgepole – jack pine (Pinus contorta × banksiana) hybrids in the cordillerean–boreal transition zone was monitored during sulfur dioxide fumigations. Foliage was stabilized for analysis during the course of sulfur dioxide fumigations originating from a sour gas processing plant located in west-central Alberta. Controlled sulfur dioxide fumigations of seedlings were conducted in the laboratory to measure their effect upon ATP content. Field studies demonstrated that ATP concentrations of needle cells declined as sulfur dioxide concentration increased in the ambient air. An inverse linear relationship was found between ATP content and the measured sulfur dioxide concentration. The effect could be repeated in the laboratory with growth chamber cultured seedlings only in exceptional cases. It was repeated with detached branches from the field site exposed to sulfur dioxide under laboratory conditions. The results illustrate the fundamental differences between foliage preadapted to low-level sulfur dioxide fumigations and foliage grown under optimal conditions in a growth chamber.

THE INFLUENCE OF AIR POLLUTION ON THE CONCENTRATION OF ATP AND ON CHLOROPHYLL DEGRADATION IN THE LICHEN, RAMALINA DURIAEI (DE NOT.) BAGL.

“…Thus, light emission was related to ATP content only. In field trials with a variety of different plants, ATP contents are known to correlate with amounts of pollution (Harvey & Legge, 1979). Similar trends were observed in this study.…”

“…The effect of SO2 fumigations on ATP concentration and energy charge have been studied in higher plants (Harvey & Legge, 1979). Treatments with 1 mol m"3 NaHSOg solutions brought about reduction in the ATP content in lower vascular plants (Aulio, 1984); at 5 mol m"^ it was detrimental to the energy metabolism.…”

Effects of SO2on photosynthesis and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase in pine tree seedlings

“…It has earlier been suggested that the inhibitory effect of SO2 might be connected with an impared phosphorylation (Sij and Swanson 1974). The ATP content of Lodgepole-jack pine (Pinus contorta x P. banksiana) hybrids has been shown to decrease linearily with an increase in SO2 concentration (Harvey and Legge 1979). An effect of SO2 on ATP production and ATP content might alter metabolic pathways leading to synthesis and/or degradation of maeromolecules in the chloroplast.…”

Mechanism of the inhibition of phloem loading by sodium sulfite: Effect of the pollutant on the transmembrane potential difference

“…The long-term depolarization of transmembrane PD could result from a direct effect on the ATPase proton pumping and/or a disturbance of the pathways providing ATP. Actually, SO2 or its derivates can reduce ATP production by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation (Ballantyne 1973, Silvius et al 1975, Harvey and Legge 1979. However, inhibition of sucrose uptake by sulfite is not only due to its effect on the transmembrane PD, because after treatments for 6 or 12 h, 0.1 mM Na^SOj had little effect on the PD although it inhibited sucrose uptake by 40%.…”