Ecological contamination by air pollutants is a worldwide problem. Fluoride-based compounds are released in large proportions into the atmosphere, soil and water from various industrial sources. These compounds are more phytotoxic to various plants than are other pollutants. The objective of this work was to determine the effects of fluoride in the form of potassium fluoride (KF)-simulated rain, on morphological and physiological responses, macronutrient content and fluoride accumulation in Spondias mombin leaves. S. mombin seedlings were transplanted to 5-liter pots containing Bioplant® substrate in a greenhouse. After acclimatization, the plants were subjected to KF, through simulated rain, at concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 30 mg L⁻¹, for a period of 9 days. Subsequently, visual and anatomical evaluations, chlorophyll a fluorescence variables, gas exchange, fluoride accumulation and macronutrient content were performed in all plants. KF-treated S. mombin developed necrosis on leaf surfaces with damage of up to 70%, followed by parenchymal tissue alterations characterized by cellular collapse and accumulation of phenolic compounds. We observed photochemical and macronutrient content changes that may compromise development of these plants. The correlation between the analyses suggested that noninvasive characteristics are important tools for detecting environmental pollution, and that S. mombin is an important bioindicator of KF-contaminated environments.

空气污染物对生态的污染是一个世界性的问题。基于氟化物的化合物从各种工业来源大量释放到大气，土壤和水中。与其他污染物相比，这些化合物对各种植物的植物毒性更大。这项工作的目的是确定氟化钾（KF）模拟雨形式的氟化物对苦瓜叶中形态和生理响应，大量营养成分和氟化物积累的影响。苦瓜链霉菌幼苗被移植到温室中含有底物的5升盆中。适应后，通过模拟降雨使植物经受KF的浓度分别为0、10、20和30 mg L ^-1，为期9天。随后，在所有植物中进行了视觉和解剖学评估，叶绿素a荧光变量，气体交换，氟化物积累和大量营养素含量。KF处理的链霉菌在叶片表面坏死，损伤程度高达70％，随后实质组织改变以细胞崩溃和酚类化合物积累为特征。我们观察到光化学和常量营养素含量的变化可能会损害这些植物的发育。分析之间的相关性表明，非侵入性特征是检测环境污染的重要工具，而链霉菌是KF污染环境的重要生物指标。