Efficient control of air pollution through plants, a cost-effective alternative: studies on Dalbergia sissoo Roxb

Abstract

Plants can be used as both passive biomonitors and biomitigators in urban and industrial environments to indicate the environmental quality and to ameliorate pollution level in a locality. Many studies reveal that plants are negatively affected by the ambient levels of air pollutants. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of air pollution on comparative basis with reference to changes in photosynthetic pigments, plant height, leaves, as well as, biochemical parameters of plants of different sites around Udaipur city receiving varying levels of pollution load. The investigated tree species Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Family: Fabaceae) exhibited a reduction in various physiological and biochemical growth parameters that correspond with air pollution levels at different sites. The tree species growing in polluted and control areas were compared with respect to foliar dust load, leaf area, and chlorophyll and total carbohydrate and total protein concentration in the leaves. Our studies suggest that D. sissoo Roxb. can successfully be grown in an area for monitoring air pollution, where it is mild and droughts are common. It will prove as an ideal tree species to control pollution effectively beside acting as a shade tree and being a source of food for birds and animals. By plantation of D. sissoo Roxb., mitigative measure at the polluted sites to control generation of particulate matter and the air quality required can be ensured. Our results also confirm that industrial and vehicular air pollution level in Udaipur city is shifting beyond limits.

A Review on Air Pollution Monitoring and Management Using Plants With Special Reference to Foliar Dust Adsorption and Physiological Stress Responses

“…Ornamental plants can also act as sink for air pollutants and also as bio-indicator of air pollution (Saxena and Ghosh, 2013). Efficient management of air pollution using plants via removal of atmospheric particles by trees is a cost-effective alternative (Kapoor et al, 2013).…”

Small-dispersed dust chemical composition on the leaves of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca) in residential area

“…Kapur S.S., Bamnia B.R. ; Kapoor, K. using plants, effectively control air pollution and emphasize its economic efficiency [2]. Norouzi S., Hademi H., Faz Kano A.…”

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“…Dalbergia sissoo, a wind-dispersed tropical tree 8 belongs to the fabaceae family 9,10 which is the third largest family of angiosperm plant with about 730 genera and more than 19400 species around, including the plants commonly known as legumes. The family fabaceae includes horticultural varieties and many species harvested which are as crops and for oils, fiber, fuel, timber, medicines, and chemicals.…”