Impact of air quality on physiological attributes of certain plants.

Abstract

The ambient air quality monitoring was carried along the NH - 58 through Haridwar and other 3 traffic intersection of the city. The maximum concentration of SO 2 (17.64µg/m 3 ), NO x (23.46 µg/m 3 ) and SPM (398 µg/m 3 ) was found at site IV during the study period December 2009 to March 2010. The study also examined the dust interception efficiency and air pollution tolerance index (APTI) of 8 plant species by using four biochemical parameters; relative water content, leaf pH, ascorbic content and total chlorophyll. The results showed that combining variety of these parameters give more reliable results than those of individual parameter. Maximum dust interception was done by Psidium gujava and species Ficus religiosa has highest air pollution tolerance index. The study indicated that ambient air pollution has negative impact on physiological characteristics of plants.