Abstract
In metropolitan areas, air pollution poses a significant threat, and it is crucial to carefully select plant species that can tolerate such conditions. This requires a scientific approach based on systematic evaluation before recommending them to executive bodies. This study aimed to determine the air pollution tolerance index (APTI), dust retention capacity, and phytoremediation ability of 10 plant species growing in and around a lignite-based coal thermal power station. The results showed that Ficus benghalensis L. had the highest APTI, followed by Mimusops elengi L., Ficus religiosa L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., and Annona reticulata L. F. benghalensis also showed the highest pH of leaf extract, relative water content, total chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid content, as well as the highest dust capturing capacity. Among the ten plant species, F. benghalensis, M. elengi, F. religiosa, A. indica and F. racemosa were identified as a tolerant group that can be used for particulate matter suppression and heavy metal stabilization in and around thermal power plants. These findings can inform the selection of plants for effective green infrastructure in smart green cities, promoting the health and well-being of urban populations. This research is relevant to urban planners, policymakers, and environmentalists interested in sustainable urban development and air pollution mitigation.
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Abbreviations
- FA:
-
Fly ash
- EC:
-
Electrical conductivity
- PMx :
-
Particulate matter along with its size in microns
- CEC:
-
Cation exchange rate
- BCF:
-
Bioconcentration factor
- MAI:
-
Metal accumulation index
- TF:
-
Translocation factor
- AA:
-
Ascorbic acid
- RWC:
-
Relative water content
- Chl:
-
Chlorophyll
- TC:
-
Total chlorophyll
- APTI:
-
Air pollution tolerance index
- DCC:
-
Dust capturing capacity
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Authors are very thankful to the Director, CSIR-NEERI for proving the facilities to conduct this work. Ethical review and approval are not applicable to this study.
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RS did experimental work, analysis, and manuscript writing; AS performed conceptualization, formatting, statistical analysis, and manuscript writing; TK done manuscript writing, formatting and data validation; SAA was involved in data collection, manuscript writing, and formatting; AA done graphical representation and formatting LS reviewed and supervised the study. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Sawarkar, R., Shakeel, A., Kumar, T. et al. Evaluation of plant species for air pollution tolerance and phytoremediation potential in proximity to a coal thermal power station: implications for smart green cities. Environ Geochem Health 45, 7303–7322 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01667-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01667-9