title: Distribution of elements in needles of Pinus massoniana (Lamb.) was uneven and affected by needle age.
abstract: Macronutrients (P, S, K, Na, Mg, Ca), heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd,) and Al concentrations as well as values of Ca/Al in the tip, middle and base sections, and sheaths of current year and previous year needles of Pinus massoniana from Xiqiao Mountain were analyzed and the distribution patterns of those elements were compared. The results indicated that many elements were unevenly distributed among the different components of needles. Possible deficiency of P, K, Ca, Mn and Al toxicity occurred in needles under air pollution. Heavy metals may threaten the health of Masson pine. Needle sheaths were good places to look for particulate pollutants, in this case including Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd and Al.
authors.affiliation: South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510650 Guangzhou, China. kuangyw@scbg.ac.cn
authors.forename: Yuan Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Kuang
authors.forename: Da Zhi
authors.initials: da Z
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Guoyi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Shi Zhong
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004602:Elements; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000737:chemistry; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D004602:Elements; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010758:Phosphorus; D007854:Lead; D008345:Manganese; D013455:Sulfur; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D008274:Magnesium