Assessment of particulate matter deposition on tree species near Marudhamalai region

Abstract

A survey of five dust polluted plants of different families Azadirachta indica, Pongamia pinnata, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, Polyalthia longifolia were carried out in Marudhamalai Road, Coimbatore, India. The dust holding capacity of leaves, pH of dust wash of leaf surface and amount of total chlorophyll content with respect to dust deposition on leaves are determined. From the surveyed plants the quantity of dust deposition was recorded from the randomly sample leaves. The maximum dust deposition on leaf surface was recorded in Polyathia longifolia and minimum dust deposition was found on Ficus religiosa. The pH of leaf wash of dust was found maximum on dust polluted leaves as compared to the control. The minimum total chlorophyll content was recorded in dust affected leaves. The dust deposition may different according to the structure, area, roughness, hair growth in surface of leaves. The dust may clogs pores of the stomata, it leads to change in respiration and transpiration process, no photosynthesis will occur and no food will be made hence tree will die off.