Impact of Alkalisation of the Soil on the Anatomy of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Needles

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the needle anatomy of Norway spruce trees growing on a territory that was exposed to different alkaline dust pollution. The anatomy of the needles of spruce growing on a polluted site in the vicinity of the Kunda cement plant (Northeast Estonia) was compared with the anatomy and physiological state of the needles from an unpolluted site. The needles from polluted sites had a significantly larger average mesophyll area and thicker epidermis. These needles also had significantly smaller average vascular bundles and xylem areas than needles from the unpolluted site. Although in the alkalised growth conditions, the mesophyll area enlarged, the number of damaged mesophyll cells increased, and as a result, the concentration of chlorophylls decreased reducing the photosynthetic potential of trees. Our study indicates that even though cement dust pollution has practically ceased in the area, the alkalised soil is affecting physiological processes in trees for a long time.