"International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment"

Author(s): Babita Singh and Anubha Kaushik

Abstract: Anthropogenic dust is major contributor of urban dust aerosols in highly urbanized areas anthropogenic ally derived dust accounts for about ≈ 30 to 70% of total dust concentrations. High concentrations of urban dust aerosols have led to detrimental health effects leading to high respiratory mortality and morbidity. Urban plantations have proved to be low cost sensors and monitors in monitoring of urban dust aerosols in many studies worldwide. Leaves of plants act as filter to polluted air and can thus be used for both monitoring and mitigation of urban dust aerosols. In this study some existing tree species in Wazirpur industrial area were investigated for their dust monitoring and mitigation potential. The average foliar dust deposition of tree species was higher in post- monsoon season and found to be 3.08 mg/cm² as compared to pre-monsoon season value of 2.21 mg/cm² In the pre-monsoon season dust capturing potential varied from maximum of 3.586 mg/cm² in Terminalia arjuna to 0.559 mg/cm² in Polyalthia longifolia. In the post-monsoon season dust capturing potential varied from maximum of 4.089 mg/cm² in Terminalia arjuna to 1.09 mg/cm² in Polyalthia longifolia. Average seasonal dust capturing potential sequence of tree species followed the sequence: Terminalia arjuna > Ficus benghalensis > Bauhinia variegata > Ficus religiosa > Plumeria alba > Cassia fistula > Anthocephalus cadamba > Morus alba > Ficus virens > Mangifera indica > Polyalthia longifolia. Percentage foliar dust deposition of different species was calculated to determine the efficiency of dust deposition. Highest percentage foliar dust was found in Terminalia arjuna (72.54%) and lowest in Polyalthia longifolia (15.58%).

Pages: 116-122 | Views: 965 | Downloads: 399

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