Mineral content and the sensitivity of black pine (Pinus nigra) of various provenances to industrial air pollution

Results are presented of the exposure of Pinus nigra from 10 provenances to the action of three concentrations of sulphur dioxide under controlled laboratory conditions. It was found that individual provenances differed significantly in sensitivity to SO₂. From trees of the same provenances growing in a region under the influence of low concentrations of toxic pollutants and in a control region, needles were collected and analysed for the content of micro- and macroelements. Individual provenances of P. nigra differed significantly in the content of Mg²⁺, K⁺, SO₄^2-, Zn and Pb. The content of Zn in needles of P. nigra from a polluted area averaged 84 ppm and was almost twice as high as that found in needles from the control area.