Efficient Control of Air Pollution through Plants a Cost Effective Alternatives

Abstract

Plants can be used as both bio-monitors and bio-mitigators in urban an industrial environments to indicate the environmental quality and to ameliorate pollution level in a locality. Many studies reveal that plants absorb gaseous particulate pollutants and help in controlling and natural means for controlling air pollution. In order to test certain plants as an effective and natural means for controlling air pollution present studies were undertaken. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of air pollution on comparative basis with references to photosynthetic pigments as well as biochemical parameters of plants of different polluted and unpolluted sites around Udaipur city receiving varying levels of pollution load. Our studies suggest that certain plants species (Holoptelea integrifolia L., Mangifera indica L., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) can be successfully grown in an area for monitoring and control of air pollution effectively besides acting as shade tree and being a source of food for animals and birds. Our results confirm that industrial and vehicular pollution level in Udaipur city is shifting beyond limits.