Ultracytopathological characterization of leaves following short-term exposures of hydrogen chloride gas

An ultrastructural investigation was conducted to determine the cells and structures in leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris that were affected by short term exposures to gaseous hydrogen chloride. Primary leaf tissues were sampled 24 h after exposure to approx 25 mg HCl m^-3 for 20 min. We noted conformational alterations in mitochondria and chloroplasts, cytoplasmic membrane disruption and vesiculation, accumulation of a particulate electron dense material in vacuoles and vesicles, and the elaboration of densely staining globules within fumigated tissues. Most of the severely or totally disrupted cells were confined to the abaxial epidermis.