Light and electron microscopy localization of chloride ions in cells of Salicornia pacifica var. utahensis

Light and electron microscopy was used to determine the distribution of chloride ions in cells and tissues of Salicornia pacifica Standl, var. utahensis (Tidestrom) Munz. Chlorenchyma cells with chloroplasts around the periphery and sclereid-like cells with distinct wall thickenings which extended from the anastomosing vascular system to near the epidermis were present in the cortex. The vascular bundles or stelar strands were surrounded by several layers of large parenchyma cells. Tissues were treated with silver acetate for silver chloride precipitation. Silver chloride precipitation sites were present in all cell types. Precipitation sites were readily evident in the vacuoles but not in other organelles.