Effect of cement particulates deposition on eco-physiological behaviors of halophytes in the salt marshes of Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The effect of cement dust on pigments status was studied for Zygophyllum coccineum, Salsola tetrandra, Cyperus conglomeratus, Limonium axillare and Suaede vermiculata. Measurements were taken for plants very close to early constructed cement factory (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) about 500 m and other about 4500-5000 m far from the factory. Cement dust was responsible for the mortality of young branches leading to a reduction in the height and cover of the five species. Salsola tetandra and Suaede vermiculata, in particular were the most sensitive to the cement dust. Generally, photosynthetic pigments including chl a, b and carotenoids were negatively correlated with dust deposition, whereas positively correlated with the distance factor. Photosynthetic pigments were declined more with cement accumulation in Salsola tetandra and Limonium axillare than in Zygophyllum coccineum and Suaeda vermiculata, whereas, increased significantly in Cyperus conglomerotus. Both carbohydrates and protein contents were decreased only for leaves of Salsola tetandra and Suaeda vermiculata, whereas, increased significantly for those plants near to the factory and parallel to dust accumulation in the other studied plants. Cement dust pollution greatly affected the photosynthetic pigments of the investigated species. The pH of the cell sap, the metabolism of soluble amino acids and soluble sugars into insoluble reserve substances were all adversely affected.