Trends of Several Air Pollutants and the Effects of Ozone on the Plant Antioxidant System in Platanm occidentalis in Korea

摘要

This study investigated concentrations of the several air pollutants and compared antioxidative enzyme activities on Platanus occidentalis because this tree species is one of the widespread street trees in Korea. This species has been emerging the ambient air pollutants during its growing periods. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between air pollution on the tree species and antioxidant enzyme activities on the trees. O_3, NO_2, CO and SO_2 concentrations of several cities in Korea were compared for last decades. Among the air pollutants, O_3 and NO_2 concentrations in six big cities in Korea showed similar increasing trends during this period. In contrast, SO_2 and CO concentrations in the same cities dramatically decreased between 1994 and 2005. Platanus occidentalis trees were controlled to investigate, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity. Ozone exposure generally increased APX and GR activities of tree seedlings. It is a typical compensatory strategy of stressed trees.