Effects of simulated acid rain on the foliar micromorphology and anatomy of tree tropical species

Abstract

In order to correlate sintomatology with anatomical alterations caused by acid rain in leaves of tropical species, seedlings and saplings of Spondias dulcis Forst. F., Mimosa artemisiana Heringer and Paula and Gallesia integrifolia (Spreng.) Harms were exposed to simulated low-pH acid rain (pH 3.0). Control plants were submitted only to rain with distilled water (pH 6.0). The plants were exposed daily to the acid rain for 20 min for 10 consecutive days. Necrotic spots on the leaf blade occurred and most of the injuries onset on the epidermis in all species studied. S. dulcis displayed epicuticular wax erosion and rupture of epidermis. The abaxial surface of M. artemisiana was colonized by a mass of fungi hyphae and stomatal outer ledge rupture occurred. Some epidermal cells of G. integrifolia showed appearance similar to plasmolysis. The plants accumulated phenolic compounds in necrotic areas. Afterwards, leaves presented injuries in the mesophyll and collapsed completely. Cells surrounding the injured areas accumulated starch grains in S. dulcis. M. artemisiana showed more drastic symptom intensity in response to acidic rain. S. dulcis displayed visual symptoms similar to G. integrifolia, however, anatomical alterations were more severe.