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Morphological responses of Rhizophora harrisonii by pollution in the main port zone of Guayaquil - Ecuador

Abstract:

Visible damages in Rhizophora harrisonii in the Port of Guayaquil, can be due to a continuous exposition to atmospheric SO2 concentrations as a result of shipping activities. This work was focused on investigate the effects of SO2 emissions on Rhizophora harrisonii individuals (affectations on functionality and morphology) in the Port of Guayaquil, considering dry and rainy seasons between 2016 and 2017. Atmospheric deposition of S was determined from 19 passive samplers distributed between the Trinitarian Island and the Chupador Chico Island, considering the second one as a control site. Foliar tissue of 360 leaves was analyzed in order to determine photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins, foliar damage, density, opening stomatal, and ions content such as K+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Na+ and SO42-. The mean value of atmospheric deposition flux for sulphur was of 3.215 S kg ha-1 yr-1. Significant differences between both islands and between sampling periods (dry and rainy seasons) were found. Mean values for proteins content of 89.27 and 54.41 μg ml-1 were found for rainy and dry seasons, respectively in the Port of Guayaquil; whereas mean sulphate concentrations were 1.52 and 1.01 ppm for rainy and dry season, respectively. Found damages cannot be attributed only to SO2 because there are other air pollutants emitted in this zone that could also affect the life quality of Rhizophora harrisonii.