Journal
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Volume 11, Issue 1, Pages -Publisher
NATURE PORTFOLIO
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84541-x
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The study found increased salinity and alkalization of roadside soils in urban areas, leading to higher concentrations of Na+ and Cl- in foliage samples, as well as reduced magnesium content. Leaf damage was strongly associated with elevated Na+ levels and decreased K+ and Mg2+ levels, indicating a severe nutrient imbalance in urban trees due to excessive de-icing salt accumulation. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between leaf damage extent and chloride content.
We investigated the accumulation of sodium chloride in roadside soils and common horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum L. under urban conditions to evaluate changes in soil and leaf ionic content and their relationship with foliar damage, considering the visual assessment of trees of the same health status. A total of 15 field sites were assessed in late June 2016. The analysis included soil granulometric composition, pH, electrical conductivity, and the content of Cl-, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ ions in soil and foliage samples. The results showed increased salinity and alkalization of roadside soils together with the decreased magnesium content. Foliage samples manifested significantly higher concentrations of Na+ and Cl-. A wide range of Cl- content was noted in leaves (2.0-11.8% d.w.) regardless of their damage index. On the contrary, leaf damage was strongly correlated with increasing Na+ concentrations and decreasing K+ and Mg2+. A severe imbalance of nutrients, and therefore poor urban tree vitality, can be attributed to the excessive accumulation of de-icing salt. However, further research would be needed to clarify the discrepancy between the extent of leaf damage and chloride content.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available