Anatomical Adaptations of Halophyte Leaves ( [Forsskal] Asch. and L.) in Response to Cement Dust Pollution in Arid Environments

Overview

Journal Life (Basel)

Date 2025 Jan 25

PMID 39860001

Authors

Nouha Krir

Mounira Mkaddem Guedri

Mehrez Romdhane

Manel Abdullah Alshaqha

Affiliations

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Abstract

This study investigates the anatomical adaptations of leaves from two halophyte species, (Forsskal) Asch. and L., in response to pollutants from a cement factory and human activities. In industrial areas, these plants absorb pollutants through their leaf surfaces, including Cu, Zn, and Pb. The two species were examined for anatomical changes under air pollution, and key factors including leaf blade thickness, palisade parenchyma cell height, spongy parenchyma cell diameter, epidermal characteristics, and stomatal traits were assessed. Under pollution, the leaves displayed smaller and denser stomata and idioblasts in the palisade and spongy parenchyma. These anatomical responses suggest that and could be effective bioindicators for detecting cement dust pollutants. Their leaf relative water content (RWC) exhibited a range of values: 70.1% and 87% for and 64.8% to 74.2% for on the highly polluted site (S1) and the control site (S4), respectively. Notably, a statistically significant site effect was observed ( > 0.01), confirming previous studies, and indicating reduced leaf relative water content (RWC) values in plants exposed to heavy metals like Cd and Pb. Heavy metals can lead to mineralization by binding to cell walls, altering their physicochemical properties and plasticity. Furthermore, significant correlations between specific heavy metals and histological parameters in leaves indicated potential interactions between metal composition and leaf structure, highlighting their role in modulating anatomical adaptations. The correlation of leaf thickness, upper epidermal thickness, and stomatal density with Zn and Pb levels underlines the importance of these anatomical features in heavy metal accumulation and retention in plant tissues.

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