Changes in epicuticular wax of Pinus sylvestris exposed to polluted air.

Abstract

Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to study structural changes in epicuticular vax of L. with time. Changes in the contact angle of water droplets and in cuticular transpiration were also measured. By using material from a polluted and an unpolluted site it was shown that the ageing process occurs faster on polluted air, leading to greater cuticular transpiration and smaller contact angles at polluted sites.Pinus sylvestris