Linking the contents of hydrophobic PAHs with the canopy water storage capacity of coniferous trees

The canopy water storage capacity (S) is an important parameter for the hydrological cycle in forests. One factor which influences the canopy water storage capacity is leaf texture, which in turn is thought to be affected by the contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In order to improve our understanding of the relevant processes of S we simulated rainfall and measured the canopy water storage capacity of coniferous species which grew under various conditions ranging from low to very high levels of pollution. The contents of 18 PAHs were measured in the needles. The species chosen were: Scots pine (Pinus sylwestris L), Norway spruce (Picea abies L) and silver fir (Abies Alba MILL). Sample branches were collected in 3 locations: A - forest; B - housing estate; C - city center.