模拟降雨对常绿植物叶表面滞留颗粒物的影响

降雨能够冲洗植物表面滞留的颗粒物并将其带入土壤中,使植物表面恢复滞尘能力。本文采用人工模拟降雨,以木犀(Osmanthus fragrans)、海桐(Pittosporum tobira)、女贞(Ligustrum lucidum)、石楠(Photinia serrulata)、荷花玉兰(Magnolia grandiflora)和白皮松(Pinus bungeana) 6种常绿植物为研究对象,选取60和90 mm·h~(-1)两个雨强,历时60 min,从不同粒径颗粒物(被孔径10μm滤膜截留的颗粒物,标记为PM_(10);通过孔径10μm滤膜而被2.5μm截留的颗粒物标记为PM_(2.5～10);通过孔径2.5μm滤膜的颗粒物标记为PM_(2.5))的洗脱率、滞留颗粒物阈值、建立拟合关系3个方面阐述了降雨和颗粒物之间的动态关系。结果表明:降雨对叶面各粒径颗粒物均有明显的洗脱作用,PM、PM_(10)、PM_(2.5～10)和PM_(2.5)的洗脱率分别为54.55%～95.07%、49.83%～96.00%、63.15%～93.63%和75.80%～91.84%;且90mm·h~(-1)雨强对PM和PM_(10)的洗脱率较60 mm·h~(-1)高(P0.05);降雨强度对PM_( 10)的洗脱率影响显著,对于PM_(2.5～10)和PM_(2.5)的影响不明显; 6种植物滞留PM和PM_(10)的阈值由大到小为白皮松女贞荷花玉兰石楠海桐木犀;降雨初期,叶表面颗粒物洗脱率随降雨历时先急剧上升,随后趋于平稳;降雨量与颗粒物洗脱率有良好的拟合关系,随着降雨量的增大,颗粒物的洗脱率呈对数升高,并且在降雨初期30 min内颗粒物洗脱率上升较快,随后上升趋势趋于平缓。     

人工降雨对湿地植物叶表面颗粒物滞留的影响

现阶段植物滞尘作为治理大气颗粒物污染的有效方法已被广泛接受与应用。已有研究表明,降雨等方式对植物叶表面颗粒物的滞留有着显著的影响,可有效地将颗粒物从叶表面去除,使植物再次具有滞留颗粒物的能力。由于自然降雨难以量化,现有研究大多采用模拟降雨的方式,将降雨特性量化为降雨强度、降雨历时等可控变量,但较少将降雨高度这一变量纳入研究。且大多以森林生态系统或者城市生态系统中常见的乔、灌、草等植物为主要研究对象,而忽略了处于水陆过渡带的湿地生态系统中植物的特殊性。湿地生态系统不仅可通过植物叶片等结构滞留颗粒物,还可依靠增强空气相对湿度促进颗粒物的吸收和积累,导致湿地植物滞尘规律的特殊性。因此,选择北京地区湿地生态系统内的4种常见植物（香蒲、菖蒲、芦苇和黄花鸢尾）作为研究对象,通过人工模拟降雨的方式,将降雨特性量化为降雨高度与降雨强度两个变量,共设置1 m （11 m）、2 m （10 m）两个不同降雨高度,30 mm/h、45 mm/h、60 mm/h三种不同降雨强度,并将颗粒物划分粗颗粒物（10—100 μm）、细颗粒物（3—10 μm）、超细颗粒物（0.4—3 μm）三种粒径范围。通过滤膜法获得单位叶面积颗粒物去除量,探讨人工降雨对湿地植物叶表面颗粒物滞留的影响。主要研究结果如下：（1）颗粒物去除量在粗颗粒物（10—100 μm）粒径范围内最高;（2）所试4种湿地植物中,菖蒲的颗粒物去除量位居前列;（3）只有在一定的范围内,植物叶表面颗粒物去除量才随降雨强度的增加而增加;（4）不同降雨高度下所试湿地植物叶表面颗粒物去除量无明显规律,降雨高度之间无显著差异（P>0.05）。     

武汉市15种阔叶乔木滞尘能力与叶表微形态特征

以武汉市15种常见的阔叶乔木为研究对象,通过3级滤膜过滤法测定了各乔木单位叶面积滞留不同粒径颗粒物(TSP、PM_(10)、PM_(10)、PM_(2.5))的质量,并通过扫描电镜观察比较了15种乔木的叶表面微形态结构,分析了微形态对植物滞尘能力的影响。结果表明:15种乔木单位叶面积的滞尘量存在显著差异(P0.05),综合滞尘能力最强的植物为二球悬铃木、桂花和石楠,除以上3者外,女贞和广玉兰分别具有较强的滞留PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)的能力;加杨滞留TSP和PM_(10)的能力最弱,玉兰滞留PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)的能力最弱。各乔木单位叶面积滞留PM_(2.5)和PM_(10)的质量分别占总粉尘量的0.7%—8.9%和3.6%—33.9%。叶表面微结构观察表明,叶表面粗糙、褶皱较多,或被有蜡质层的植物有利于粉尘颗粒物的附着。相关性分析表明,植物单位叶面积的滞尘量与叶表面沟槽的宽度呈显著相关,上下表面沟槽宽度越小,越有利于细微颗粒物(PM_(2.5))的滞留,下表面沟槽宽度增加,有利于粉尘总颗粒物(TSP)的滞留。由此可见,叶表面粗糙度、蜡质含量和沟槽宽度等微形态结构是调控绿化树种叶片滞尘能力的重要因素,在武汉以治理大气粉尘污染为目标进行城市绿化时,可考虑选择二球悬铃木、桂花和石楠等滞尘能力强的树种。     

北京常见阔叶绿化植物滞留PM2.5能力与叶面微结构的关系

叶片是植物滞留大气颗粒物的主要载体,对城市环境质量的改善发挥着巨大作用。该文用洗脱法测定了北京市20种常见阔叶绿化植物单位叶面积滞留总悬浮颗粒物(TSP)及PM2.5(颗粒直径≤2.5μm)的质量,并利用扫描电子显微镜观察了叶表面的微结构,分析比较了20种道路绿化植物叶片去除TSP与PM2.5的能力,以探讨典型植物叶表面微结构特征对大气颗粒物拦截效果的影响机理。结果显示:(1)不同植物单位叶面积滞留TSP和PM2.5的量均存在显著差异,变化范围分别为0.40~3.44g/m2和0.04~0.39g/m2。(2)叶表面沟槽宽度的不同可能是不同植物滞留TSP和PM2.5差异的主要原因,沟槽宽度过宽和过窄均不利于叶片捕集颗粒物,且颗粒物滞留量随沟槽深度增加而增大。(3)气孔密度较大的叶片表面颗粒物滞留量较大。研究表明,灌木与藤本植物单位叶面积对TSP和PM2.5的平均滞留量均大于乔木;叶表面沟槽宽度为5μm左右时对PM2.5滞留量较大;悬铃木(Platanus acerifolia)、木槿(Hibiscus syriacus)和大叶黄杨(Buxus sinica)单位叶面积滞留TSP与PM2.5量与其他供试植物相比均较大。     

降雨对北方城市5种典型城市绿化树种叶面滞尘的影响

城市树木和森林植被净化大气颗粒污染物的功能受到了广泛的重视,但由于受多种植被特征与环境因素的影响,定量评价城市植被净化大气颗粒污染物功能非常困难。研究了不同降雨条件下大叶黄杨、银杏、栾树、五角枫、杜仲5种我国北方城市绿化典型树种叶面滞尘量的变化特征。在选定的样树冠层分上、中、下3层和东、南、西、北4个方向,采集成熟叶片,采用刷洗样本叶表,抽取水样及分级抽滤并烘干称重的方法,测定这5种树种降雨后12d(夏季累积滞尘量)、14mm降雨后(小雨)、29mm降雨后(中雨)以及室内模拟降雨30mm/h(15mm雨量)后叶片表面不同粒径大气颗粒污染物的滞留量。研究结果表明:降雨对不同粒径颗粒物去除能力有较大差异,除银杏以外,PM10以上颗粒物更容易去除;小雨对颗粒物的冲刷能力有限;中雨可以冲刷掉50%以上总颗粒物;室内模拟强降雨可以冲刷掉90%以上颗粒物,随着降雨增大,各粒径颗粒物随之冲刷量增加;同时叶表结构对抗冲刷能力有显著影响,革质叶片更容易滞尘及冲刷,绒毛结构滞尘能力较低,抗冲刷能力较强;北方大叶黄杨具有综合去除空气中颗粒物优势(小雨TSP冲刷量为(775.06±33.99)mg/m~2),银杏具有去除细颗粒物优势(中雨PM_(2.5)冲刷量为(426.55±40.83.99)mg/m~2)。     

亚热带常绿树种对不同粒径颗粒物的滞留能力

可吸入颗粒物和细颗粒物是大部分城市的首要污染物,对人体健康和环境都有重要影响;而城市植物能吸附大气颗粒物,进而有效降低大气颗粒物浓度。为了深入探究不同树种叶表面特征与自身滞尘效益之间的关系,该研究以浙江省三种常见城市绿化树种(青冈、冬青、红花檵木)为对象,采用重量法提取各样本在3个粒径上(8~100,2.5~8,0.45~2.5μm)的单位叶面积滞尘量(μg·cm~(-2)),并结合叶面积指数估测全株滞尘量。结果表明:三种供试植物叶片对颗粒物平均单位叶面积滞留量在30.4~63.7μg·cm~(-2)之间,而平均单木滞尘量每株在1.36-9.36 g之间。红花檵木因其叶表粗糙、具有绒毛等特征,对颗粒物(0.45~100μm)有最大的吸附能力(63.74±12.0μg·cm~(-2));对于大颗粒物(8~100μm)和细颗粒物(0.45~2.5μm),三种植物叶片均对其分别具有最大(40.9%~57.5%)、最小(15.6%~20.6%)的吸附能力;对于单木滞尘量,青冈因其具有较大叶面积指数等特征,对颗粒物总吸附效果更佳(每株9.36g)。该研究结果表明城市绿化树种对减缓大气颗粒物污染起到重要作用。     

北京市春季天气状况对针叶树叶面颗粒物附着密度的影响

对北京市侧柏、圆柏、油松和云杉冲洗与未冲洗植株春季1个月内叶面颗粒物附着密度进行了观测,并对照逐日气象数据和测试树种叶表面微形态,分析了天气状况对叶面颗粒物附着密度的影响。结果表明,春季降雨、大风、沙尘等天气状况交替出现导致叶面颗粒物附着密度随之变化,大多数时间低于冬季。测试树种叶面部分颗粒物附着牢固,不能被中等强度15 mm降雨冲掉。5~6级大风不会使叶面颗粒物附着密度减少。与本地扬尘相比,外来入侵沙尘可使叶面颗粒物附着密度较大增加。侧柏和圆柏叶表面密集脊状突起间的沟槽可深藏许多颗粒物,且颗粒物固着牢固,不易被降雨和大风去除。油松叶表面光滑、粘性大,易于小颗粒物的附着,但颗粒物容量较低,附着不牢固。云杉气孔周围较宽凹槽利于牢固滞留较大颗粒物,能有效捕获粒径较大的外来沙尘。     

树皮对空气颗粒物的吸附能力

植物树叶对去除空气颗粒物有重要作用,树皮也能吸附颗粒物,但植物的生物调节功能对树皮表面颗粒物的敏感性相对较低。本文对北京市常见的10种不同植物树皮的吸附能力进行了研究,测定了不同季节树皮对0.2~2.5、2.5~10和10~100μm 3种粒径悬浮颗粒物的单位面积吸附量,并对不同树皮的吸附能力进行分类。结果表明:树皮整体吸附颗粒物量较大,平均达2182.07μg·cm-2,其中10~100μm大颗粒物起到主要作用,占到88%左右;0.2~2.5μm和2.5~10μm的小颗粒物吸附量各占6%。对于不同气象和污染条件,大颗粒物吸附量变化较大,小颗粒物则较小。主要表现为多雾霾、少风雨的季节吸附量较大,多降雨、多大风的季节吸附量较小。树皮表面吸附的颗粒物会有部分二次悬浮,部分被降雨去除,部分继续在树皮表面积累。不同树皮表面颗粒物吸附能力具有显著差异,其受树皮表面的结构和性质影响,主要分为4类:(1)强吸附能力、低水分、少脂质的较粗糙树皮;(2)弱吸附能力、高水分、多脂质的光滑树皮;(3)中等吸附能力、有裂纹或浅纵裂树皮;(4)对不同粒径颗粒物差异性吸附的开裂树皮。本研究证明了树皮可减少空气颗粒物,为今后通过城市绿地规划、减少空气颗粒物对人体的危害提供了相关的理论基础。     

基于超声清洗的树木叶面颗粒物粒径分布与吸滞效率研究——以银杏和油松为例

明确在常规叶片清洗方法(泡洗或泡洗+刷洗)上增加超声清洗对叶面各径级颗粒物滞纳量定量评估的影响,并在此基础上研究叶面颗粒物的粒径分布和吸滞效率,可进一步提高城市树木大气颗粒物吸滞能力的定量评估精度。该文以城市森林建设常用阔叶树种银杏(Ginkgo biloba)和针叶树种油松(Pinus tabuliformis)为研究对象,于雨后(降水量15 mm)4天(短滞尘时长)和14天(长滞尘时长)分别采集叶样,并依次对其进行泡洗(WC)、刷洗(BC)、超声清洗(UC)等洗脱程序,然后对每个清洗步骤下叶片洗脱液中颗粒物的质量和粒径分布进行测试,并依此估算叶片各径级颗粒物的吸滞效率。结果表明,以"泡洗+刷洗+超声清洗"清洗流程的测试结果为参照,若只对叶片进行泡洗,则银杏和油松对大气颗粒物(PM1,粒径d≤1μm)、PM2.5(d≤2.5μm)、PM5(d≤5μm)、PM10(d≤10μm)吸滞量会分别被低估约一半(54%、53%、53%和53%)和40%(42%、42%、42%和42%);若只进行"泡洗+刷洗",则银杏和油松对相应径级颗粒物的吸滞量仍会分别被低估约15%(17%、16%、15%和15%)和20%(21%、20%、20%和20%)。油松叶面颗粒物粒径分布呈双峰曲线,而银杏叶面颗粒物粒径则呈单峰分布,且银杏叶面颗粒物平均粒径在短、长滞尘时长下均大于油松。油松叶片对PM1、PM2.5、PM5、PM10和总悬浮颗粒物的吸滞效率分别为8.96、23.92、23.96、23.96和23.96 mg·m–2·d–1,分别比银杏叶片高112%、73%、34%、37%和42%。     

植物叶片吸滞PM_(2.5)等大气颗粒物定量研究方法初探——以毛白杨为例

以毛白杨为例,提出一种利用激光粒度仪和天平定量评估植物叶片吸滞细颗粒物(PM2.5,直径d≤2.5μm)等大气颗粒物能力的方法——洗脱称量粒度分析法(EWPA),实现了对植物叶片吸滞大气颗粒物质量和粒径分布的直接、准确测定,可操作性强.首先,进行预试验对试验方法的稳定性进行检验;其次,通过对叶片进行清洗、离心洗液、烘干等步骤收集其吸滞的颗粒物,然后对颗粒物称量,并采用激光粒度仪测定颗粒物的粒径分布;最后,利用叶面积和林分叶面积指数数据换算得到单位面积叶片和林分的各径级颗粒物吸滞量.在北京市奥林匹克森林公园内一片毛白杨林分(27 d未经历降雨)中应用该法,测得毛白杨叶片吸滞大气颗粒物的粒径均值为17.8μm,吸滞PM2.5、可吸入颗粒物(PM10,d≤10μm)和总悬浮颗粒物(TSP,d≤100μm)的体积百分比分别为13.7%、47.2%和99.9%;叶片的PM2.5、PM10、TSP和总颗粒物吸滞量分别为8.88×10-6、30.6×10-6、64.7×10-6和64.8×10-6g·cm-2;林分的PM2.5、PM10、TSP和总颗粒物吸滞量分别为0.963、3.32、7.01和7.02 kg·hm-2.     

μ- and μ4-η coordination of A2H2 (A = C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb) ligands with transition metals

The heavier analogs of C₂H₂ have been studied at the B3LYP level for their μ and μ₄-η² coordination properties with the transition metals. Based on known alkyne compounds, transition metal fragments [W₂(μ-NH)(Cp)₂(Cl)₂] and [Fe₄(CO)₁₂] have been chosen. The SBKJC relativistic effective core potentials and their associated basis sets were used on W, Fe, Sn and Pb, and the 6-31G(d) basis set was used on all other elements. All the complexes of Si₂H₂, Ge₂H₂, Sn₂H₂ and Pb₂H₂ are found to be local minima. The trans-twist nature of the ligand A₂H₂ (A = Si-Pb) is large in μ-coordinated complexes of W, and it is very small in μ₄-η² coordinated complexes of Fe. The electronic structure of these complexes was investigated using fragment molecular orbital method (FMO).     

Antibacterial properties of recombinant human non-pancreatic secretory phospholipase A2

Human non-pancreatic secretory phospholipase A₂ (hnpsPLA₂) is a group IIA phospholipase A₂ which plays an important role in the innate immune response. This enzyme was found to exhibit bactericidal activity toward Gram-positive bacteria, but not Gram-negative ones. Though native hnpsPLA₂ is active over a broad pH range, it is only highly active at alkaline conditions with the optimum activity pH of about 8.5. In order to make it highly active at neutral pH, we have obtained two hnpsPLA₂ mutants, Glu89Lys and Arg100Glu that work better at neutral pH in a previous study. In the present study, we tested the bactericidal effects of the native hnpsPLA₂ and the two mutants. Both native hnpsPLA₂ and the two mutants exhibit bactericidal activity toward Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, they can also kill Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium. The two mutants showed better bactericidal activity for E. coli at neutral pH than the native enzyme, which is consistent with the enzyme activities. As hnpsPLA₂ is highly stable and biocompatible, it may provide a promising therapy for bacteria infection treatment or other bactericidal applications.     

Adhesion and Signaling Mediated by the Cytoplasmic Tails of Leucocyte Integrins

Integrins not only mediate cell adhesion but also contribute to a variety of other cellular processes including proliferation, cytokine production, cytotoxicity and apoptosis. They act as bi-directional signal transducers, mediating signaling from inside-to-outside the cell and from outside-to-inside the cell. Evidence is emerging that signaling through leukocyte integrins (β2 and β7) is distinct from signaling by the more widely distributed β1 integrins. Here we discuss the role of the cytoplasmic domains of leukocyte integrins and that of cytosolic proteins that bind integrins in mediating signal transduction. Distinct sites in the alpha as well as the common beta chain contribute to this process. We also show that β2 integrin distribution on the cell surface is of particular relevance for leukocytes to rapidly alter their adhesive state and display their highly dynamic adhesive behavior. From these and recently published findings the picture is arising that particular cell functions may be supported by integrin-specific signaling pathways.     

Earthworm effects on gaseous emissions during vermifiltration of pig fresh slurry

Treatment of liquid manure can result in the production of ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane. Earthworms mix and transform nitrogen and carbon without consuming additional energy. The objective of this paper is to analyse whether earthworms modify the emissions of NH₃, N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ during vermifiltration of pig slurry.The experiment used mesocosms of around 50 L, made from a vermifilter treating the diluted manure of a swine house. Three levels of slurry were added to the mesocosms, with or without earthworms, during one month, in triplicate. Earthworm abundance and gas emissions were measured three and five times, respectively.There was a decrease in emissions of ammonia and nitrous oxide and a sink of methane in treatments with earthworms. We suggest that earthworm abundance can be used as a bioindicator of low energy input, and low greenhouse gas and ammonia output in systems using fresh slurry with water recycling.     

Modulation of gating currents of the Ca(v)3.1 calcium channel by alpha 2 delta 2 and gamma 5 subunits

Modulatory effects of auxiliary alpha(2)delta(2) and gamma(5) subunits on intramembrane charge movement originating from the expressed Ca(v)3.1 calcium channel were investigated. Inward current was blocked by 1mM La(3+). Voltage dependences of Q(on) and Q(off), kinetics of ON- and OFF-charge movement, and I(max)/Q(max) ratio were measured in the absence and the presence of an auxiliary subunit. The alpha(2)delta(2) subunit accelerated significantly both ON- and OFF-charge movement. I(max)/Q(max) ratio and Q(on)-V, Q(off)-V relations were not affected. Coexpression of the alpha(2)delta(2) subunit may accelerate channel transitions between individual closed states, but not the transition from the last closed channel state into an open state. Coexpression of the gamma(5) subunit accelerated the decay of the ON-charge transient and enhanced I(max)/Q(max) ratio. These effects suggest improvement of the coupling between the charge movement and the channel opening due to facilitation of transitions between individual closed states and the transition between the last closed state and an open state.     

Toxicity of nitrapyrin to sunflower under different N nutrition regimes

Summary The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytotoxicity of nitrapyrin 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)pyridine to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under different N regimes and to see if N forms affect the phytotoxicity of nitrapyrin. Sunflower was grown in pot culture for 21 days and was fertilized with (NH₄)₂SO₄, NH₄NO₃ and NaNO₃ to provide 0, 100 and 200 ppm N and with nitrapyrin application of 0 and 20 ppm. All N-treated sunflower plants in all N regimes and regardless of titrapyrin treatment produced more root and shoot dry weights and contained a significantly higher N than untreated check. Nitrapyrin toxicity appeared as a curling of leaf margin and a tendril type of stem growth, the visible toxicity symptoms decreased in the order: (NH₄)₂SO₄>NH₄NO₃>NaNO₃. Furthermore nitrapyrin addition suppressed sunflower growth in each N regime, the suppressing effect being greater with (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄NO₃ than as with NaNO₃. Although, shoot growth from plants receiving nitrapyrin was not significantly affected by any N regime, root growth of nitrapyrin-treated plants was somewhat restricted by NH₄ ⁺−N nutrition relative to NO₃ ⁻−N nutrition.     

Assessing the Impact of Advected African Dust on Air Quality and Health in the Eastern United States

Large quantities of African dust are carried into the southeastern United States each summer with concentrations typically in the range of 10 to 100?µg m^?3. Because approximately one-third to one-half of the dust mass is in the size range under 2.5?µm diameter, the advection of African dust has implications for the EPA's newly implemented standard for PM_2.5 particulate matter and for the assessment of human health effects. It will be difficult to assess the impact of African dust events on air quality because they occur during the summer (maximum in July) when photochemical pollution events are frequent and intense in the eastern United States. Indeed, the presence of dust could affect the evolution of photochemical dust events. In order to assess the role of African dust in air quality in the United States, it will be necessary to develop a set of diagnostic indicators; it appears that dust mineralogy and elemental composition might be useful for this purpose. Various satellite products can be used to characterize the spatial coverage of dust events and, when coupled with meteorological tools, to predict impact regions.     

Reassimilation of carbon dioxide by Flaveria (Asteraceae) species representing different types of photosynthesis

The capability to reassimilate CO₂ originating from intracellular decarboxylating processes connected with the photorespiratory glycolate pathway and-or decarboxylation of C₄ acids during C₄ photosynthesis has been investigated with four species of the genus Flaveria (Asteraceae). The C₃-C₄ intermediate species F. pubescens and F. anomala reassimilated CO₂ much more efficiently than the C₃ species F. cronquistii and, with respect to this feature, behaved similarly to the C₄ species F. trinervia. Therefore, under atmospheric conditions the intermediate species photorespired with rates only between 10–20% of that measured with F. cronquistii. At low oxygen concentrations (1,5%) the reassimilation potential of F. anomala approached that of F. trinervia and was distinct from that found with F. pubescens. The data are discussed with respect to a possible sequence of events during evolution of C₄ photosynthesis. If compared with related data for C₃-C₄ intermediate species from other genera they support the hypothesis that, during evolution of C₄ photosynthesis, an efficient capacity for CO₂ reassimilation evolved prior to a CO₂-concentrating mechanism.Abbreviations C₃, C₄ assimilated CO₂ initially found in 3-phosphoglycerate (C₃) or malate and aspartate (C₄) - D reassimilation coefficient - R _n , R _t net, total CO₂ evolution as measured with 0.03 and 3% CO₂, respectively - RuBP ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate - TPS true photosynthesis     

Co-function of C3-and C4-photosynthetic pathways in C3, C4 and C3-C4 intermediate Flaveria species

The potential for C₄ photosynthesis was investigated in five C₃-C₄ intermediate species, one C₃ species, and one C₄ species in the genus Flaveria, using ¹⁴CO₂ pulse-¹²CO₂ chase techniques and quantum-yield measurements. All five intermediate species were capable of incorporating ¹⁴CO₂ into the C₄ acids malate and aspartate, following an 8-s pulse. The proportion of ¹⁴C label in these C₄ products ranged from 50–55% to 20–26% in the C₃-C₄ intermediates F. floridana Johnston and F. linearis Lag. respectively. All of the intermediate species incorporated as much, or more, ¹⁴CO₂ into aspartate as into malate. Generally, about 5–15% of the initial label in these species appeared as other organic acids. There was variation in the capacity for C₄ photosynthesis among the intermediate species based on the apparent rate of conversion of ¹⁴C label from the C₄ cycle to the C₃ cycle. In intermediate species such as F. pubescens Rydb., F. ramosissima Klatt., and F. floridana we observed a substantial decrease in label of C₄-cycle products and an increase in percentage label in C₃-cycle products during chase periods with ¹²CO₂, although the rate of change was slower than in the C₄ species, F. palmeri. In these C₃-C₄ intermediates both sucrose and fumarate were predominant products after a 20-min chase period. In the C₃-C₄ intermediates, F. anomala Robinson and f. linearis we observed no significant decrease in the label of C₄-cycle products during a 3-min chase period and a slow turnover during a 20-min chase, indicating a lower level of functional integration between the C₄ and C₃ cycles in these species, relative to the other intermediates. Although F. cronquistii Powell was previously identified as a C₃ species, 7–18% of the initial label was in malate+aspartate. However, only 40–50% of this label was in the C-4 position, indicating C₄-acid formation as secondary products of photosynthesis in F. cronquistii. In 21% O₂, the absorbed quantum yields for CO₂ uptake (in mol CO₂·[mol quanta]^-1) averaged 0.053 in F. cronquistii (C₃), 0.051 in F. trinervia (Spreng.) Mohr (C₄), 0.052 in F. ramosissima (C₃-C₄), 0.051 in F. anomala (C₃-C₄), 0.050 in F. linearis (C₃-C₄), 0.046 in F. floridana (C₃-C₄), and 0.044 in F. pubescens (C₃-C₄). In 2% O₂ an enhancement of the quantum yield was observed in all of the C₃-C₄ intermediate species, ranging from 21% in F. ramosissima to 43% in F. pubescens. In all intermediates the quantum yields in 2% O₂ were intermediate in value to the C₃ and C₄ species, indicating a co-function of the C₃ and C₄ cycles in CO₂ assimilation. The low quantum-yield values for F. pubescens and F. floridana in 21% O₂ presumably reflect an ineffcient transfer of carbon from the C₄ to the C₃ cycle. The response of the quantum yield to four increasing O₂ concentrations (2–35%) showed lower levels of O₂ inhibition in the C₃-C₄ intermediate F. ramosissima, relative to the C₃ species. This indicates that the co-function of the C₃ and C₄ cycles in this intermediate species leads to an increased CO₂ concentration at the site of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and a concomitant decrease in the competitive inhibition by O₂.Abbreviations PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - PGA 3-phosphoglycerate - RuBP ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate     

Leaf carbon isotope ratios of plants from a subtropical monsoon forest

Summary Carbon isotope ratios were used to survey the distribution of photosynthetic pathways among taxa, the relationship between photosynthetic pathway and habitat light levels, and the relationship between intercellular CO₂ levels of C₃ plants and habitat light levels within a subtropical monsoon forest in southern China. Of 128 species, most (94) possessed the C₃ photosynthetic pathway; 33 species possessed the C₄ pathway and all of these were restricted to high light locations. There was one epiphytic CAM species. The C₃ species were classified as occurring in open, intermediate, and closed canopy sites. Among C₃ species, carbon isotope ratios tended to become more negative with decreasing light availability in the habitat.C.I.W.D.P.B. Pub no 931