Biochemical Parameters as Biomarkers for the Early Recognition of Environmental Pollution in Scots Pine Trees. I. Phenolic Compounds

S. Härtling and H. Schulz Department of Chemical Ecotoxicology, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, PO Box 2, D -04301 Leipzig, Germany Z. Naturforsch. 53c, 331-340 (1998); received January 21/March 19, 1998 Pinus sylvestrish., Catechin, Ferulic Acid, p-Coumaric Acid, Picein Within a series of regular projects investigating the suitability of biochemical parameters as biomarkers for the early recognition of environmental pollution, the levels of selected phenolic compounds were determined in Scots pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.) from young and adult trees at three field sites with different S 0 2 pollution (Rösa>Taura>Neuglobsow). Young trees showed no differences in the levels of soluble phenolics in case of increasing loads of S 0 2, whereas the concentration of the soluble phenolic component catechin in previ­ ous needles of adult trees altered significantly. In current year’s needles, differences were only found in the presence of high S 0 2 deposition. In contrast to catechin, picein and total phenolics remained unaffected. The concentration 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. Differences in the levels of p-coumaric acid were detected in the needles of adult trees between the three sites, with the highest levels being measured at the site with the lowest pollution (Neuglobsow). However, changes in the p-coumaric acid content in young trees were low. No site-related differences were found regarding ferulic acid in adult and young pines. The findings are discussed and compared with data reported in the literature.