Morphological and biochemical study of plant species- a quick tool for assessing the impact of air pollution

The present study conducted in and around the Durgapur Industrial region, West Bengal, India aims to characterize the air pollution indicator parameters and identify the pollution tolerant species by detailed analysis of 21 morphological and biochemical parameters under the air pollution stress. Two plants species Ficus benghalensis (FIBE) and Terminalia arjuna (TEAR) were selected as the models for the study which was conducted in two different sites S1 and S2, respectively denoted as the control site and the severely polluted site. It was noted that the Air Pollution Index (API) became higher (266.88) around the clusters of the industrial sectors in Durgapur city while the atmosphere of the peri-urban area are comparatively less polluted. The different deposition patterns in the forms of granules, crust, flakes, immurations and the surface architectural patterns of epicuticular wax of both plant species were analyzed and compared using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study. Thirteen major variables could be screened to be the most influenced ones under the air pollution stress from the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). This study can serve as a guide for the forest managers to analyze pollution induced variables of model tree species and develop an effective Green belt to combat air pollution in urban industrial regions.

Automated summary

The present study aimed to characterize air pollution indicators and identify pollution tolerant plant species in the Durgapur Industrial region of West Bengal, India. The study focused on two plant species, Ficus benghalensis (FIBE) and Terminalia arjuna (TEAR), and compared pollution levels between a control site (S1) and a severely polluted site (S2) in the region. The study found that air pollution was higher around industrial clusters in the city, with the peri-urban areas being comparatively less polluted. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the deposition patterns and surface architectural patterns of epicuticular wax of the plant species. Thirteen major variables were identified as the most influenced ones under air pollution stress through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). This study can provide guidance for forest managers in analyzing pollution-induced variables of model tree species and developing effective green belts to combat air pollution in urban industrial regions.