Long-term implications of industrial pollution stress on lipids composition in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) roots

Abstract

The influence of pollution stress (SO2, Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ and fluoride) on composition changes in cellular membranes of roots of three European of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations were examined. Plant material growing in three experimental areas: Kornik relatively free of air pollution (control), Lubon: SO2 and HF and Glogow: SO2 and heavy metals. Analysis of total phospholipids and their composition indicates that the phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were present in lower concentration in the root tissues from both polluted sites (Lubon and Glogow). The difference in PC:PE ratio between control and both polluted sites was greater in root of Scots pine population from Russia than in the population from Slovakia. Under pollution conditions the content of lipid soluble antioxidant α-tocopherol was lower about 220 %, in comparison to the control. The action of pollution stress also lead to lowering of unsaturated:saturated ratio of total fatty acid, and lower content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (18:2) and eicosatrienoic acid (20:3). We concluded that the long-term pollution stress markedly inhibited lipid biosynthesis in root tissue of Scots pine and it is probably contribute to the reduction of productivity of forests. These results also suggest that lipid composition can be used as an indicator of changes in tissue roots of Scots pine caused by air and/or soil long-term pollution.