Physiological responses of the tropical tree Tibouchina pulchra Cogn under the influence of combustion of crude oil and natural gas at an oil refinery

► An oil refinery exchanged its fuel from oil to gas to reduce SO2 emissions. ► Fuel exchange resulted in changes on Asat and growth. ► Asat increase did not promote growth increase. ► Photoassimilates products may be used for maintenance and damage repair. ► The fuel substitution only altered the air pollution profile in the region.