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Biomarkers in Plants

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Biomarkers: A Pragmatic Basis for Remediation of Severe Pollution in Eastern Europe

Part of the book series: NATO Science Series ((ASEN2,volume 54))

Abstract

Plants can react rapidly to adverse environmental conditions ranging from invisible biochemical processes up to the development of visible symptoms of injury, independent of the primary target of the stress the best recognized in leaves in the field. Biochemical biomarkers may be very specific for one or a group of compounds or a general indication of an environmental stress. Biophysical biomarkers are based on changes in chlorophyll content and fluorescence, visual biomarkers on changes in leaf pigments. Exposure time, exposure concentration and the stability of the biomarker are the most important aspects of the quantitative biomarkers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biology, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1087, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands

    Wilfried H. O. Ernst

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. St. Mary’s Road, Wimbledon, London, UK

    David B. Peakall

  2. Victoria Road, Mortimer, Berkshire, UK

    Colin H. Walker

  3. Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Katowice, Poland

    Pawel Migula

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Ernst, W.H.O. (1999). Biomarkers in Plants. In: Peakall, D.B., Walker, C.H., Migula, P. (eds) Biomarkers: A Pragmatic Basis for Remediation of Severe Pollution in Eastern Europe. NATO Science Series, vol 54. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4550-3_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4550-3_10

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