The endemic halophyte Sarcocornia carinata Fuente, Rufo & Sánchez-Mata (Chenopodiaceae) in relation to environmental variables: elemental composition and biominerals

We propose a thorough study of the succulent halophyte Sarcocornia carinata endemic to saline lagoons center Iberian Peninsula. describe its elemental composition and possible seasonal variation in relation edaphic climatic variables, identify biominerals analyze distribution salt ions tissue. Plants samples were collected four seasons 1 year. Soils analyzed for their pH, EC, color, bioavailable concentration Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−. plants total mineralogical composition. The elements minerals tissues was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Despite variations observed variables varied slightly throughout In plants, Mg element that reflected changes most, while K Ca concentrations did not vary. Salty precipitates crystallizations distributed mainly epidermis, water storage parenchyma, cortex, vascular vessels. Several crystals compatible with halite, gypsum, glushinskite weddellite. corroborates inland S. behaves same way as other littoral euhalophytes reinforces hypothesis quantitative abundance pattern depend largely on main adaptation mechanisms halophytes.