MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND LEAF ASH CONTENT OF TREE PLANTS: INDICATION OF TECHNOGENIC LOAD IN THE CONDITIONS OF AN INDUSTRIAL REGION.

This article is dedicated to studying the influence of ash element distribution in the tissues of woody plants" foliar organs on the fluctuating asymmetry of leaf blades in industrial areas. The research goal is a comprehensive study of the trends in the relationship between ash content and fluctuation of morphometric parameters of leaf blades under conditions of increased anthropogenic impact, using Pavlodar as an example. The research hypothesis states that the increase in ash element content in the tissues of leaf blades is directly proportional to significant variations in morphometric parameters within the sample and serves as an indicator of environmental pollution. The research objects are leaves of Populus balsamifera, Betula pendula, Acer negundo. According to the location of industrial emission sources, they were divided into three zones: northern, eastern, and central. The leaves were collected at the end of the 2023 growing season, with subsequent measurements of the length and width of the leaf blade and calculation of the standard deviation. The significance of differences between samples was assessed based on the results of variance analysis. Ash content determination was carried out by the dry ashing method of leaves in a muffle furnace. It was found that the maximum concentration of ash elements is characteristic of Populus balsamifera and Acer negundo, with the highest degree of atmospheric air pollution identified for the Alumina Plant, consistent with the significant results of the range of variation in morphometric indicators within the sample. An increase in mineral accumulation in leaf blades from southeast to northwest within the central and eastern industrial zones (excluding the Alumina plant) was noted. The obtained results confirm a direct proportional relationship between significant fluctuations in morphometric parameters as ash content increases, which can be used as an indicative method of anthropogenic pollution in industrial regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]