The effect of detergent as polluting agent on the photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content in bean leaves

Abstract

The paper investigates effects of detergent for domestic use on the photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content in intact bean leaves. The plants were watered for 21 days with a solution of domestic washing powder of 0.60 g r/l. It was established that the activity of photosynthetic apparatus in the plant leaf PhACNorm [%] decreases exponentially with the length of plant treatment/watering. At the end of the treatment (21st day) the activity of photosynthetic apparatus in the dosed plant leaf was no more than 45% of that in control plant (those which were not watered with detergent solution). With increased plant treatment duration the changed chlorophyll concentration $Δ$ChlNorm [%] rose non-linearly in plant leaves. The highest change $Δ$ChlNorm [%] was observed on the 21st day and amounted to 12%.