Variation in the Ability of Various Tree Species to Capture Particulate Matter in Industrial and Urban Areas

Maisnam Sushima Devi

Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.

M. Prasanthrajan *

Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.

A. Bharani

Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.

N. Sritharan

Department of Rice, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.

D. Jeya Sundara Sharmila

Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.

M. Maheswari

Department of Environmental Sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

There are several short- and long-term negative effects on human health caused by the well-known pollutant known as particulate matter (PM), which also significantly contributes to urban air pollution. Trees can act as a sustainable air purifying filter by adsorbing and absorbing tiny airborne dust. Their effectiveness is influenced by a number of variables, including particulate matter concentration and leaf features of tree species. In this study, the particulate matter capturing capacity of commonly grown 20 tree species were compared and the best tree species were chosen for the urban plantation to reduce particulate matter pollution. In this study, Ficus bengalensis (0.67 mg/cm2), Mangifera indica (0.61 mg/cm2), Polyalthia longifolia (0.57 mg/cm2), Tectona grandis (0.66 mg/cm2) and Terminalia catappa (0.63 mg/cm2) were found to be the best tree species among the 20 tree species and also it was confirmed that morphological characteristics of tree leaves plays an important role in capturing the particulate matter from the atmosphere. In conclusion, our findings may help in the selection of greening tree species with strong particulate matter purifying capacities for both industrial and urban areas.

Keywords: Industry, macromorphological, micromorphological, particulate matter


How to Cite

Devi , Maisnam Sushima, M. Prasanthrajan, A. Bharani, N. Sritharan, D. Jeya Sundara Sharmila, and M. Maheswari. 2023. “Variation in the Ability of Various Tree Species to Capture Particulate Matter in Industrial and Urban Areas”. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 13 (10):37-46. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i102642.