Effect of petrol fuel contamination on the growth of mature Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L., trees.
The radial increment and crown status of mature Scots pine trees growing in polluted and unpolluted sites were compared. In 1996, as a result of some malfunction, unleaded petrol penetrated into the soil next to a plantation. Detailed geological and hydrological studies revealed the route of the spread of contamination and extent of the pollution. The trees growing in polluted sites revealed strong depletion of radial growth starting immediately after pollution. Such depletion lasted 2-3 years before the ring widths stabilised at a low level. After a few years the radial increment increased, and now do not differ from the increment of trees in the unpolluted sites.
Ecological Station, Institute of Plant Biology, Wrocław University, pl Maksa Borna 9, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland. tszymura@biol.uni.wroc.pl
Tomasz H
TH
Szymura
Magdalena
M
Szymura
Karol
K
Wolski
D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D005648:Fuel Oils / Q000633:toxicity*; D005843:Geography; D041605:Pinus sylvestris / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005648:Fuel Oils