Simultaneous Gas-Exchange and Fluorescence Measurements with Ozone-Fumigated Spruce
A method was developed for carrying out gas-exchange and chlorophyll-fluorescence measurements simultaneously during fumigation of spruce twigs with peroxidic photooxidants. It is thus now possible to investigate how a pollutant affects distinct sectors of the photosynthetic apparatus of the plant: whereas fluorescence reveals any changes in the primary light reaction, CO2 gas-exchange measurements supply information about the biochemical reactions of the Calvin cycle. Results of short-time fumigation with 750 ppb ozone are presented here. Gas-exchange and fluorescence data are affected strongly in early summer, but not in autumn. The assimilation rate decreases significantly: primarily as a result of Rubisco activity and possibly because of direct inhibition of the electron-transport chain as well. Closure of the stomata leads to further reduction in the assimilation rate. Though no damage becomes visible on the needles, the perturbance of the photosynthetic apparatus caused by ozone fumigation is not reversible within 24 h.