Single and Combined Effects of Continuous and Discontinuous O3and SO2Immission on Norway Spruce Needles: II. Metabolic Changes

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Abstract
The analysis of the cytological effects of SO2, O3 or SO2/O3 exposure on the structure of spruce needles (Picea abies Karst.) revealed an extremely high amount of phenolic compounds in the vacuoles of the mesophyll cells of primary needles (see part 1 of this study). This observation prompted us to identify and quantify different spruce needle phenolics, their changing amount during SO2, O3, or SO2/O3 exposure as well as their effect on the adenylate energy charge (AEC) as an integrate stress index of the plant cell. Discontinuous fumigation with O3 combined with low constant-concentration exposure to SO2, overlapped by occasional peak concentration of SO2, seems to affect the phenolic metabolism and the adenylate energy charge the most. The high phytotoxicity of this fumigation pattern is indicated by a drastically reduced adenylate energy charge and extremely high levels of distinct intermediates of the phenolic pathway.