A Theoretical Analysis of CO2 Absorption in Sun Versus Shade Leaves

Abstract

A one-dimensional, steady-state, constant temperature model of diffusion and absorption of CO2 in the intercellular air spaces of a leaf is presented. The model includes two geometrically distinct regions of the leaf interior, corresponding to palisade and spongy mesophyll tissue, respectively. Sun, shade, and intermediate light leaves are modeled by varying the thicknesses of these two regions. Values of the geometric model parameters are obtained by comparing geometric properties of the model with experimental data of other investigators found from dissection of real leaves. The model provides a quantitative estimate of the extent to which the concentration of gaseous CO2 varies locally within the leaf interior.