4 UJ CD % PRO&6 It FLUORIDE IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK by Ibrahim Joseph Hindawi, Ph.D. NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY An Associate Laboratory of National Environmental Research Center—Corvallis ------- FLUORIDE IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK By Ibrahim Joseph Hindawi, Ph.D. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency National Ecological Research Laboratory Corvallis, Oregon 97330 Presented at the Helena, Montana Conference September 10, 1974 ------- VEGETATION STUDIES Phytotoxicity of airborne gaseous fluoride is well documented in the literature.^' ^ an<^ Fluoride is an accumulative toxicant, and development of plant injury is usually associated with fluoride buildup in the leaf over a relatively long period in contrast to short-time exposure than normally causes injury with most atmospheric photo-toxicants.^7' ^ Also, the fluoride ion is relatively stable in contrast to many pollutants that break down or change chemically (3 9) within the leaf. ' Leaves on the same plant can differ considerably in fluoride content because leaves differ in age or exposure time. ' Since deciduous plants lose their leaves annually, there is no opportunity for buildup of fluorides in the trees from one year to the next. Conifers, however, retain their needles and can accumulate fluorides over a longer period of time. A wide variation in sensitivity is recognized; some species may accumulate in excess of 100 parts per million (ppm) on a dry weight basis without displaying any symptoms of injury, whereas other species may develop extensive areas of dead tissue when much less fluoride has been accumulated.^ It is generally accepted that fluoride concentrations in plants up to 10 ppm may be considered normal occurrence and that some plants, particularly those closely related to tea and camelia, may accumulate a much larger amount in the absence of atmospheric contaminants.^^ In a plant community such as that found in Glacier National Park, concentration exceeding 10 ppm in grasses and pine are probably associated with atmospheric contamination. During 1970 and 1974, I have conducted a survey of pine trees and other indigenous vegetation in Columbia Falls and Glacier Park. The survey 1 ------- was made to investigate possible damage to the trees by air pollutants. As part of the survey, two separate studies were conducted. First, investigation of the condition of indigenous vegetation and pine trees on a various location in 1970 and 1974. Second, exposure of experimental vegetation under controlled conditions in plant shelter at three locations in the area in 1970. V i_sua 1 Observations In 1970, vegetation in Glacier National Park and surrounding areas was examined for evidence of fluoride-type markings. Columbia Falls and vicinity - Severe needle tip necrosis was observed on ponderosa pine at two locations within Columbia Falls. Ponderosa pine in ttie Yard of Dr. Kruck residence (Figure 1) at the Columbia Tails, and at Columbia Falls Park, were severely damaged with necrosis lesion on the tip of 1968 and 1969 needles. The needles of 1967 were entirely defoliated. The needle tip necrosis (Figure 2) ranged from red-brown to light brown with numerous dark brown bands and a sharp line of demarcation between healthy and necrotic tissue. Young lodge- pole pine tree (Figure 3) in the ornamental planting at the entrance to the Columbia Falls Forest Ranger Station showed considerable injury of t.hi> 1968 needles, less injury of the 1969 needles. The oldest 1970 loaves of a young birch tree (Figure 4) growing in the same area were severely injured. Necrosis at the margin of these leaves extended between the principal veins almost to the mid-rib. Ponderosa pine at the Site #4 location, which is about five miles northeast of the aluminum plant, showed injury of the 1969 needles (Figure 5). A large commercial planting of the conifers about 20 miles south from Columbia Falls appeared to be free of injury. 2 ------- Teakettle Mountain - (Figure 6). Ponderosa, lodgepole, douglas fir, on top of Teakettle Mountain (Figure 7, 8) were severely damaged with necrotic lesion on the tip of the 1968 and 1969 needles. Many of the young douglas fir trees (Figure 9) were heavily marked with fleck-like chlorotic lesions and a general golden-brown discoloration. Glacier Park - (Figure 9). White pine trees (Figure 10, 11) at Glacier National Park Headquarters showed necrotic tip burn on 1968, and some burn on 1969 needles. Bear grass (Figure 12) grown beside park headquarters developed tip damage. Lodgepole pine (Figure 13) about 4.5 miles west of park headquarters showed considerable damage on the 1968 needles. Ponderosa pine and douglas fir (Figure 14) showed severe damage on 1960 and 1969 needles. On Lake McDonald (Figure 15), tip burn was observed on white pine (Figure 16) growing on a ledge approximately 500 feet above the highway on the east side of the stream (Figure 17). Necrosis was found only on the tips of 1968 needles (Figure 18). In general, of the field observation, necrotic tip burn on ponderosa pint; and necrotic of some leaves on broad leaf plant were observed in Columbia Falls. These symptoms appeared to be identical with symptoms characterized as fluoride type. Similar symptoms on the needles were observed several miles northeast of the plant, and heaviest injury appeared on the north slope of Teakettle Mountain. Needle burn of sensitive pine species in Glacier National Park indicates that excessive fumigation with fluorides probably occurred in 1968; tissue analysis confirmed this observation. Observation from the top of Teakettle Mountain confirms that fluoride-type symptoms are prevalent to the top of the mountain. Wind movement from the south-southwest would carry any pollutants reaching the top of the mountain up the middle fork of Flathead River into the Lake McDonald area. 3 ------- Chemical Analysis The needles were divided into two nearly equal parts--the tip (top half) and the base (bottom half). Unwashed needles were identified, sorted, oven-dried, and ground for semi-automated wet-chemical analysis with an autoanalyzer (as outlined by Health Laboratory Science (1969) was used for determination of total fluoride). Results of the analysis appear in Table 1 and 2. The normal expected fluoride content of who!e conifer needles is less than 10 ppm (based on control data of the Forest Service and University of Montana). The fluoride content of many of the samples reported in Table 1 and 2 is much higher than this background level of 10 ppm. Accumulation on the tip portion of the needles ran as high as 141 ppm, and only two of the samples showed fluoride levels as low as background when the tip and base measurements were combined. The data further confirm that fluoride has accumulated in the tissue of vegetation growing in and near the park in sufficient quantities to produce the observed top necrosis. Generally, the fluoride accumulation in 1968 needles was greater than in 1969 needles, and in 1969 needles than in the current 1970 needles. The high fluoride content of 1968 and 1969 needle growth may reflect exposure to higher ambient fluoride levels during these years as well as cumulative effects of the longer exposure period. The high fluoride content (43 ppm) of bear grass collected at park headquarters exceeds the state standard of 35 ppm for forage, considered to be the maximum safe concentration for animal ingestion. Histological Examination Histological changes are associated with presence of injured tissue, Solberg and Adamsreported that cellular changes caused by fluoride 4 ------- in broad leaves were characterized by collapse of the mesophyll and distortion and collapsed of epidermal cells.13' ^ and ^ Cellular collapsed was noted in pine needles, but considerable variation existed within a needle. Perhaps the most interesting effect was hypertrophy of epithelial cells of the resin canal and enlargement of some paranchyma tissue. Injured needles from the park trees showing burn symptoms were examined microscopically. By means of a hand sectioning technique, tissue sections were obtained without the distortion induced by killing or dehydration of the tissue. Clear and workable sections were obtained by softening the hard tissue in a solution composed of 20 percent glycerin, 10 percent alcohol, and 70 percent distilled water. Thianine stain gave clarity and resolution to the initial stages of injury. Sections were taken from the green, uninjured portion of the needles imediately preceding the demarcation line between injured and uninjured tissue. Examination of the specimens revealed that part of the mesophyll cells granulated and the chloroplasts had lost their integrity (Figure 19). The epithelial cells of the resin canal showed swelling and expansion {Figure 20). Paranchyma cells near the vascular bundle had enlarged and swelled (Figure 21). The extensive changes in the injured needle tissue indicated that the causative agent of the needle necrosis was chemical. Controlled Exposures of Selected Vegetation Cylinder-shaped, fiberglass greenhouses were located at three of the sites where volumetric ambient fluoride measurements were conducted (Figure 22, 23). Stations 1,2, and 3 (shown in Figure 1) were selected for the exposure tests because of the availability of electric power and the proximity to the park. 5 ------- At sites 1 and 2, shelters of the same type as those used for ambient exposures were equipped with filters to remove particulate and gaseous fluorides (Figure 24). In these control shelters, ambient air was blown through a series of filters before entering the shelter and then was pulled from the shelter by an exhaust blower. In the regular test shelters, unfiltered ambient air was drawn by the air movement induced by an exhaust blower. In all shelters, fans circulated air at a rate of about 1 air-volume-change-per-minute. Plants exposed included ponderosa, Scotch and white pines, alfalfa, Chinese apricot, and Snow Princess gladiolus. Trees were obtained from these sources: white pine--Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; ponderosa pine-- Potamac Valley, Missoula, Montana; Scotch pine—St. Regis, Montana; and Chinese apricot—Denver, Colorado. The pines were 3 to 4 years old and were placed at the sites 1 to 2 weeks after bud break. The apricot trees were 5 to 6 years old. All trees remained during this exposure period in the soil in which they were delivered by the nursery. r.ladiolus and alfalfa were grown hydroponically in a vermiculite support medium. Plastic pots containing the plants were placed in shallow plastic trays to which a deionized water nutrient solution was added twice a week. On a weekly schedule, all plants were flushed with distilled water, and the trays were cleaned to rid them of algae. In the latter stages of the study heaters were placed inside the shelters to prevent freezing. The selected plant varieties were also grown in garden plots near the shelters at sites 1, 2, and 3. A garden plot was also established at the nir sampling station near Mud Lake (site 4). Gladiolus and alfalfa were planted in native soil at each of the garden plots, but the trees 6 ------- were left in their containers with the original soil. The garden plots were watered about every other day with deionized water and once a week with nutrient solution. On the apricot tree, the leaf (Figure 25) shows injury at the tip and margin, and a demarcation line developed clearly between injured and intact tissue. Spots of injured tissue surrounded by healthy tissue also appeared on the leaf. Moderate tip burn was observed on Gladiolus (Figure 26). Gladiolus wore harvested for analysis on September 14 as buds were opening after about 11 weeks of growth. Alfalfa and part of the apricot leaves were also harvested at this time. At the end of the 16-week study, the rest of the apricot leaves and the new growth of alfalfa was harvested. Pine needles were also collected from the test trees at this time and were classified as 1969 and 1970 needle growth for analyses. Samples from plants grown in the exposure shelters and the garden plots were analyzed at the EPA laboratory 1n Durham, North Carolina. Unwashed plant samples were identified, sorted, oven-dried, and ground for automated wet-chemical analysis with an autoanalyzer. Results are reported in ug F/g dry weight in Tables III through VI. Results of the controlled exposure of selected vegetation indicate that nearly all samples exposed to this ambient air accumulated more fluoride than did those grown in the purified air of the control chambers. This accumulation appears to be of marginal significance, however, it must be remembered that the vegetation encountered low concentrations of fluoride as demonstrated by the air quality measurements made at these same exposure sites. 7 ------- Summary and Conclusion Data and information provided by the vegetation studies and field observation made during 1970 and 1974 growing seasons revealed that visible injury to conifers and other vegetation growing in and around the Glacier National Park was detected. The oldest needles of ponderosa pine growing in an exposed location on the Teakettle Mountain showed considerable tip burn. Other coniferous species in the area showed severe foliar necrotic lesions on the 1968 and 1969 needles. The variability of visible damage to vegetation within the park suggests that location, topography, and metrology, in addition to the quantity of fluoride emitted by the aluminum reduction plant, are key factors in exposure of vegetation to fluorides. For example, vegetation in some areas near the west boundary of the park, presumably protected by topography from exposure to air borne fluorides, appeared free of foliar injury, but tip necrosis was clearly visible on older needles of sensitive white pine growing in areas situated deep within the interior of the park along the presumed frequent path of the effluent plume from the aluminum plants. Histological examination of injured needles from conifers exhibiting tip burn symptoms showed extensive pathological changes in the needle tissue that indicate chemical etiotogy of needle necrosis. These changes were not caused by insect infestation, natural disease, or winter damage. Chemical analysis of necrotic needles of pine in Glacier National Park indicated significant fluoride content, which substantiates our finding that the needle tip necrosis observed on growth of pines in Glacier National Park and surrounding areas was produced by ambient levels of fluorides. 8 ------- Plants especially sensitive to fluorides were grown for several months in enclosed exposure chambers at three sites. Chambers equipped with devices to remove particulate and gaseous fluorides were operated as control. In other chambers, plants were exposed to unfiltered ambient air. The plants included alfalfa, apricot trees, gladiolus, and several pine species. Although test procedure difficulties and short exposure time hampered the interpretation of results, it is evident that a greater ambient of fluorides accumulated in the vegetation exposed to ambient air than in plants exposed to filtered air. 9 ------- Table I. FLUORIDE CONTENT OF VEGETATION SAMPLES COLLECTED IN COLUMBIA FALLS, 1970 (Fluoride in ppm) Location Plant Varieties Date Collected Dr. Kruck Residence (Columbia Falls) Ponderosa 1968 needles end 312 July 6, 1970 Columbia Falls Park Ponderosa 1968 needles end 119 July 16, 1970 Ranker Station (Columbia Falls) Bi rch 1970 whole leaf 94 July 16, 1970 Monitoring Site #4 Ponderosa 1969 needles tip 122 base 9 October 20, 1970 Monitoring Site #4 Ponderosa 1970 needles tip 39 base 11 October 20, 1970 10 ------- Table II. FLUORIDE CONTENT OF VEGETATION SAMPLES COLLECTED ON TEAKETTLE MOUNTAIN, 1970 (Fluoride in ppm) Location Plant Varieties Date Collected Teakettle Mountain Ponderosa 1968 needles tip 295 base 101 July 16, 1970 Teakettle Mountain Ponderosa 1969 needles tip 213 base 56 July 16, 1970 Teakettle Mountain Ponderosa 1970 whole needle 34 July 16, 1970 Teakettle Mountain Lodgepole Pine 1968 needles tip 328 base 37 July 16, 1970 Teakettle Mountain Lodgepole Pine 1969 needles tip 260 base 46 July 16, 1970 11 ------- Table III. FLUORIDE CONTENT OF VEGETATION SAMPLES COLLECTED IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, 1970 (Fluoride in ppm) Date of 1967 IJeedles 1968 Needles 1969 Needles 1970 Needles Collection Location Plant Varieties Tip Base Tip Base Tip Base Tip Base 7/16 Park Headquarters White Pine 29.5 12.5 36.5 13.0 28.5 8.2 8.0 + 5.4 7/16 4-5 miles west of Park Headquarters Lodgepole 63.0 15.0 10/22 Beside Park Headquarters Bear Grass 43.2 Whole Leaves of 1970 7/16 Road to Middle Fork Ranger Station (about 4 miles southwest of Headquarters) Ponderosa 83.0 8.0 68.5 4.9 50.0 9.0 10.2 + 3.7 10/22 Middle Fork Ranger Station Douglas Fir 140.7 32.1 73.9 15.8 20.0 5.2 7/16 6 miles north of Lake McDonald White Pine 19.0 7.7 54.0 17.8 12 ------- Table IV. FLUORIDE ACCUMULATION IN 1969 AND 1970 NEEDLES OF WHITE, PONDEROSA, ANO SCOTCH PINES EXPOSED FROM JUNE 25 TO OCTOBER 21, 1970 (ug F/g) Exposure/location White pine Scotch pine Ponderosa pine 1569 1970 1969 1970 1969 1970 Plant shelters Site 1 16.5 10.6 34.5 12.6 36.1 9.8 Site 2 8.3 16.7 12.4 39.6 10.7 Si te 3 18.3 25.3 23.5 8.7 46.1 10.5 Garden plots Si te 1 7.3 • 00 10.0 5.5 19.1 7.1 Si te 2 11.4 9.1 7.1 14.3 6.9 Site 3 12.7 6.2 6,3 5.0 16.6 6.8 Si te 4 18.5 14.2 14.3 8.2 19.0 9.4 Control shelters3 6.1 5.1 9.2 4.2 15.5 5.6 aFluoride content of the plants in both control shelters. 13 ------- Table V. FLUORIDE ACCUMULATION IN ALFALFA LEAVES AND STEMS EXPOSED IN 1970 STUDY Exposure/location Fluoride content yg F/g July 24 through September 14 through September 14 October 21 Plant shelters Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Garden plots Si te 1 Site 2 Si te 3 Site 4 Control plant shelters 13.9 12.5 11.1 21.3 19.3 24.7 32.1 4.4 13.6 11.5 15.1 5.0 14 ------- Table VI. FLUORIDE ACCUMULATION IN CHINESE APRICOT LEAVES EXPOSED IN 1970 STUDY Exposure/location Fluoride content, yg F/g July 14 through September 14 through September 14 October 21 Plant shelters Site 1 Si te 2 Si te 3 Garden plots Si te 1 Site Z Si te 3 Si te 4 Control plant shelters 6.7 8.4 10.7 10.2 9.9 9.6 12.8 2.6 15.9 24.3 19.7 14.6£ 2.0 Date of exposure was July 14 to September 26, 15 ------- Table VII. FLUORIDE ACCUMULATION IN GLADIOLUS LEAF TISSUE EXPOSED FROM JUNE 25 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 1970 Fluoride content, pg F/q (xposure/location 0 to 2 inches 2 to 4 inches 4 to 6 inches from tip from tip from tip Plant shelters Site 1 20.6 6.7 8.1 Site 2 24.0 12.4 9.3 Site 3 23.9 9.9 10.2 Garden plots Si to 1 26.8 10.1 7.5 Site 2 43.6 9.1 8.9 Site 3 28.2 10.9 9.0 Control plant shelters 12.0 8.9 5.2 16 ------- BIBLIOGRAPHY L. Roholm K. 1973. Fluorine intoxication. Hyt. Nordisk Forlay Arnold Busck Copen, Germany. 364 pp. 2. Thomas, M. D. and E. W. Alther. 1966. The effect of fluoride on plants, pp. 231-306. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, New York. Vol, 20(1). 3. Thomas, M. D. and R. H. Hendricks. 1956. Effects of air pollution on plants, pp. 9-1 - 9-44. In: P. L. Magi 11, F. R. Holden, and C. Ackley (eds.). Air Pollution Handbook. New York. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. 4. Zimmerman, P. W. and A. E. Hitchcock, 1956. Susceptibility of plants to hydrofluoric acid and sulfur dixoide gases. Contrib. Boyce Thompson Inst. 18:263-279. 5. Benedict, H. M., J. M. Ross and R. W. Wade. 1964. The disposition of fluorides by vegetation. Int. J. Air Wat. Poll. 8:279-289. 6. Hindawi, Ibrahim J. 1970. Air pollution injury to vegetation. U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare. Public Health Service. National Air Pollution Control Association, Raleigh, North Carolina. 7. Leone, Ida A., Eileen Brennan and R. H. Daines. 1956. Atmospheric fluoride: Its uptake and distribution in tomato and corn plants. Plant Physol. 31:329-333. 8. Adams, D. F., J. W. Hendrix and H. G. Applegate. 1957. Relationship among exposure periods, foliar burn, and fluorine content of plants exposed to hydrogen fluoride. 0. Agr. Food Chem. 5:108-116. 9. Prince, A. L., F. E. Bear, E. G. Brennan, I. A. Leone and R. H. Daines. 1949. Fluorine: Its toxicity to plants and its control in soils. Soil Sci. 67:269-277. 17 ------- 10. Thomas, M. D. and R. H. Hendricks. 1956. Effects of air pollution on plants, pp. 9-1 - 9-44. In: P. L. Magi 11, F. R. Holden, and C. Ackley (eds.). Air Pollution Handbook. New York. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. 11. Solberg, R. A. and D. F. Adams. 1956. Histological responses of some plant leaves to hydrogen fluoride and sulfur dioxide. Amer. J. Bot. 43:755-760. 12. Environmental effects of fluoride. Glacier National Park and vicinity. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII. Air and Water Program Division. Denver, Colorado 80203. 13. Stewart, D., M. Treshow and F. Harner. 1973. Pathological anatomy of conifer needle necrosis. Canadian J. of Botany. Vol. 51. pp. 983-988. 14. Carlson, Clinton E. and J. E. Dewey. 1971. Environmental pollution by fluorides in Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service, Northern Region Headquarters. Division of State and Private Forestry. 15. Hindawi, Ibrahim J. 1973. Differential diagnostic for fluoride damage to plants. Presented at the Fifth Conference of the International Society for Fluoride Research in Oxford, England. 18 ------- VISUAL OBSERVATION IN 1974 On July 23 and 24, 1974, I examined vegetation in Glacier National Park and surrounding areas for evidence of fluoride-type markings. FINDINGS The nature and extent of tree and shrub damage is described in Table 1. The locations that were visited are shown in relation to the aluminum reduction plant in Figure 1. Pine trees and shrubs showed injury from hydrogen fluoride and insects. Typical fluoride damage was observed as necrotic injury of the tissue at the tip of the needle and advancing downward. On broad-leaf plants, the injury appeared along the margin and there was often a sharp demarcating line between injured and intact tissues. Injury on the leaves of birch trees appeared as spots of injured tissue surrounded by healthy tissue. Injury was identical to the damage on plant species exposed to fluoride under controlled condi tions. Dehlbon Farm Site A. On this farm located about one mile west of the aluminum plant, pine trees and broad leaf plants showed severe injury; the damage mostly occurred on the tip of needles and on the tip and margin of the leaves. Needle tip necrosis was observed on lodgepole (Figure 2) and Scotch pine (Figure 3), but the damage was more severe in the 1973 than 1974 needles. Mountain maple and apple trees and Lily of the Valley plants (Figure 4) were also injured. Columbia Falls and Vicinity. Severe needle tip necrosis was observed on Ponderosa pine (Figure 5) at the city park (site B) (Figure 6 and 7) 19 ------- and in the yard at the Dr. Kruck residence in Columbia Falls (site C). The injury was confined to needles on the growth produced in 1973 while 1974 needles (current season) showed only a trace of tip injury. A sharp line of demarcation between healthy and necrotic tissue was clearly shown on the needles. This symptom is characteristic of injury produced on pine needles by fluorides in a contaminated environment. Lodgepole pine (Figure 8) in the ornamental plantings at the Forest Ranger Station (site D), at the entrance to Columbia Falls, showed considerable injury on the 1973 needles but little injury on 1974 needles. The leaves of river birch tree (Figure 9) growing in the same area were also injured. The damage appeared as necrosis at the margin of the leaf, extending between the principal veins. Teakettle Mountain (site E). Located between the aluminum plant and Glacier Park, within 4^ miles northeast of the aluminum plant. Wind movement from the south-southwest would carry any pollution reaching the top of the mountain up to the Glacier Park. Lodgepole pine, western larch (Figure 10), and white pine were severely damaged. Necrotic lesion developed on 1973 with a trace on 1974 needles. Marginal injury, necrotic lesion and growth suppression were also detected on the broad leaf of maple trees (Figure 11) at the top of Teakettle Mountain. Glacier Park. Pine needles and other indigenous vegetation in the park showed tip and margin injury comparable to that caused by fluoride. Bear grass (Figure 12) growing near Glacier Park headquarters (site F) showed tip injury on 1974 growth. Necrotic lesion developed on 1973 and 1974 needles of Douglas fir (Figure 13) growing about 2 miles west of park headquarters (site G). At the ranger station (site H), 4 miles west of park headquarters, tip injury developed on 1973 needles of lodgepole pine (Figure 14). 20 ------- CHEMICAL ANALYSIS The pine needles were divided into nearly equal parts—the tip (top half) and the base (bottom half). Unwashed needles were identified and sorted. The tissue was analyzed for fluoride at the National Environmental Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon. An uncomplicated method for the determination of organically-bound fluoride was used.* Results of the analysis appear in Tables II-IV. The tables show that in Columbia Falls, fluoride as high as 48 and 71 ppm on dry weight basis has accumulated on the tip of 1973 needles and on 1974 broad leaves respectively. On Teakettle Mountain, fluoride as high as 58 ppm was found on 1974 leaves of the huckelberry plant and 52 ppm in 19/3 white pine needles. In Glacier Park, fluoride as high as 44 ppm was found in lodgepole pine needles. The normal expected fluoride content of whole conifer needles is less than 10 ppm (based on control data of the Forest Service and University of Montana). The fluoride content of many of the samples reported in Tables II-IV is higher than this background level of 10 ppm. Generally, the fluoride accumulation on 1973 needles was higher than 1974 needles, and the fluoride accumulation on 1974 broad leaves was high, even though the plant was exposed only two months in the 1974 growing season. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Tip injury on Ponderosa pine and necrosis on broad leaves were observed near the aluminum plant and in Columbia Falls. *B. Z. Lenkowski, E. G. Wollish, and E. G. E. Shafer. Analytical Research Laboratory, Hoffman-La Roche, Inc., Nutley, NJ. Analytical Chemistry. 1959. 21 ------- Observations on the top of Teakettle Mountain indicated that fumigation with fluoride caused more injury than in Glacier Park. Hand section and microscopical examination of injured needles and broad leaves inside and outside the park indicated many cells in the damaged area had either lost integrity, swelled or collapsed. Chemical analysis of the pine needles and other broad leaves in the areas by the aluminum plant, in Columbia Falls, on Teakettle Mountain, and in Glacier National Park, indicated a fluoride content which substantiates the finding that needle tip necrosis and injury on broad leaves were produced by ambient levels of fluoride. 1 have observed during my survey that many pine needles were injured by insects such as pine needle sheath minor, pine needle minor and scale (sucocus scale). As reported by Mr. Carlson, scale insects are known to build up on weakened or disturbed trees. Excessive dust alone can precipitate scale outbreaks. There appears to be a relationship between scale population and fluoride accumulation in the vegetation, but more work has to be done to confirm this finding. Finally, fluoride damage caused reduction in photosynthesis, weakened plants, and reduced yield and food production. The magnitude of exposure to fluoride is dependent upon emission rates, location, stage of plant growth and weather conditions such as stagnation, wind direction, wind speed, and temperature. 22 ------- Glacier Park and Columbia Falls Location of areas in which vegetation injury was found est Glacier Lookout ¦ Headqu *HIP Aluminum Plant Hungry Horse Columbia Falls Miltt ------- Table IV. FLUORIDE CONTENT OF VEGETATION SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM GLACIER PARK, July 24, 1974 (Fluoride in ppm) Location Near the Park Headquarters 2 Miles West of Park Headquarters Ranger Station, 4 Miles West of Park Headquarters Plant Varieties Bear Grass Douglas Fir Lodgepole Pine Tip Base 1974 whole leaves 14 1973 needle 33 30 1973 needle 44 31 24 ------- Table III. FLUORIDE CONTENT OF SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM THE TEAKETTLE MOUNTAIN, July 23, 1974 (Fluoride in ppm) Plant Varieties Tip Base Lodgepole Pine 1973 needle 45 33 Western Larch 1974 36 whole needle White Pine 1973 52 whole needle 1974 35 whole needle Mountain Maple 1974 45 whole leaves Saint John Wort 1974 28 whole leaves Huckelberry 1974 58 whole leaves 25 ------- Table II. FLUORIDE CONTENT OF VEGETATION SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM THE COLUMBIA FALLS, July 24, 1974 (Fluoride in ppm) Location Plant Varieties Tip Base Dr. Kruck Residence Ponderosa Pine 1973 needle 42 26 Ci ty Park Ponderosa Pine 1973 needle 48 32 Ranger Station Lodgepole Pine 1973 needle 34 30 Ranger Station River Birch 1974 whole leaves 71 26 ------- Table I. (Cont'd) Si te and Di recti on with Relation to Anaconda Map Aluminum Plant Location Plant Varieties Description of Damage Ci ty Park in Columbia Fal Is Teakettle Mountain 4 Miles NE of Aluminum PI ant Glacier Park at the Side of Park Headquarters Two Miles West of Park Headquarters Hanger Station 4 Miles West of Park Headquarters E E F G Ponderosa Pine White Pine Mountain Maple Saint John Wort Western Larch Lodgepole Pine Huckelberry Bear Grass Douglas Fir Lodgepole Pine Tip necrosis on 1971 , 1972 and 1973 needles; trace on 1974 needles Severe tip necrosis on 1972 and 1973 needles; new injury started to develop on 1974 needles Necrosis on the margin of 1974 leaves; also suppression of growth Necrosis on the margin of 1974 leaves About 75% of the 1974 needles showed tip injury Tip necrosis on 1972 and 1973 needles Necrosis on the margin of leaf; Injured island surrounded by healthy tissue Tip necrosis on 1974 leaves Tip injury on 1972 and 1973 needles; trace on 1974 needles Tip injury on 1972 and 1973 needles; no injury on 1974 needles 27 ------- Table I. INJURY FOUND IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON PINE TREES AND OTHER BROAD LEAF PLANTS IN COLUMBIA FALLS, TEAKETTLE MOUNTAIN AND GLACIER PARK Site and Direction with Relation to Anaconda Map Aluminum Plant Location Plant Varieties Description of Damage Dehlbon Farm, West Aluminum Plant A Columbia Falls Ranger Station in Columbia Falls Dr. Kruck Residence in Columbia Falls Lodgepole Pine Scotch Pine Lily of the Valley Saint John Wort Larch Mountain Maple Lodgepole Pine River Birch Ponderosa Pine Tip necrosis 1973 needles and little on 1974 needles Tip necrosis on 1974 needles Margin and tip of 1974 leaves Tip and margin of 1974 leaves Necrosis on 1974 needles Necrosis on the margin of 1974 growth; also, suppression of growth Tip necrosis mostly on 1973 needles, little on 1974 needles Necrosis at the margin c" 1974 leaves extended betwt.ii principle veins Tip necrosis on 1971, 1972 and 1973 needles; trace on 1974 needles 28 ------- |