Foliage age and pollution alter content of phenolic compounds and chemical elements in Pinus nigra needles

Changes of phenolics and chemical elements [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), boron (B), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co)] content in needles of black pine (Pinus nigra) as dependent on age of needles (5-6 classes) and pollution were examined. The content of ortho-diphenols (o-dPh) and total phenols (TPh) was significantly higher at a polluted site than at a control one. It increased with age of needles at both sites. At the polluted site contents of N, K, Mg in black pine needles were lower and of Fe, Ni and F were higher than at the control site. An increase of content with age of needles at both sites was detected for Ca, Fe, B and F, and a decrease for N, P, K, Cu and Ni. The content of elements in different age classes of needles is connected with their mobility. The content of phenolics is negatively correlated with main nutrients and positively with some toxic elements.