Макроэлементный состав листьев березы повислой (Betula pendula Roth) в градиенте аэротехногенного загрязнения АО «Карабашмедь»

Abstract

The dependence of the macroelements content in the Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) leaves on the vital state of the stand in the gradient of aerotechnogenic emissions by the Karabash Copper Smelting Plant was established. The content of macro- and microelements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur was studied, and NPK was calculated as the total content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) in the leaves of a birch tree at different distances from the Karabashmed plant. The study showed that when air was polluted with sulfur dioxide, the total content of macronutrients in the leaves decreased. Severe damage to birch leaves by sulfur dioxide in the affected area of Karabashmed is indicated by an increased concentration of sulfur in the leaves — one and a half times more than on another sample area, as well as deterioration of the vital condition of the stand (the degree of defoliation and dechromation is 1,5–2 times higher, deterioration of the sanitary condition is 1,5 times more when in the others sites). With an increase in foliage dechromation, the potassium content decreases, the sulfur content increases; with a defoliation increase, the content of nitrogen, phosphorus and sodium decreases. The content of calcium and magnesium is not related either to defoliation, dechromation or the category of the tree condition.