BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AS BIOMARKERS FOR THE EARLY RECOGNITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL-POLLUTION IN SCOTS PINE TREES - I - PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS

Within a series of regular projects investigating the suitability of b iochemical parameters as biomarkers for the early recognition of envir onmental pollution, the levels of selected phenolic compounds were det ermined in Scots pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.) from young and adu lt trees at three field sites with different SO2 pollution (Rosa>Taura >Neuglobsow). Young trees showed no differences in the levels of solub le phenolics in case of increasing loads of SO2, whereas the concentra tion of the soluble phenolic component catechin in previous needles of adult trees altered significantly. In current year's needles, differe nces were only found in the presence of high SO2 deposition. In contra st to catechin, picein and total phenolics remained unaffected. The co ncentration of catechin in the previous year's needles of adult trees correlated positively with needle necroses. The phenolic components of the cell walls of pine needles were also analysed. The main phenolic compounds were identified as p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. Differe nces in the levels of p-coumaric acid were detected in the needles of adult trees between the three sites, with the highest levels being mea sured at the site with the lowest pollution (Neuglobsow). However, cha nges in the p-coumaric acid content in young trees were low. No site-r elated differences were found regarding ferulic acid in adult and youn g pines. The findings are discussed and compared with data reported in the literature.