Particulate matter on foliage of Betula pendula, Quercus robur, and Tilia cordata: deposition and ecophysiology

Abstract

Trees in urban and industrial areas significantly help to limit the amount of particulate matter (PM) suspended in the air, but PM has a negative impact on their life. The amount of PM gathered on leaves depends on quantity, size, and morphology of leaves and can also be increased by the presence of epicuticular waxes, in which PM can become stuck or immersed. In this study, we determined the ability of PM to accumulate on leaves in relation to the species of tree and PM source. We tested saplings of three common European tree species (Betula pendula, Quercus robur, and Tilia cordata) by experimentally polluting them with PM from different sources (cement, construction, and roadside PM), and then assessing the effects of PM on plant growth and ecophysiology. In all studied species, we have found two types of PM accumulation: a layer on the leaf surface and an in-wax layer. Results showed that the studied species accumulate PM on their leaf blade, reducing the efficiency of its photosynthetic apparatus, which in a broader sense can be considered a reduction in the plants’ normal functioning. Saplings of Q. robur suffered the least, whereas B. pendula (especially photosynthetic rate and conductivity) and T. cordata (especially increase in leader shoot length) exhibited greater negative effects. The foliage of B. pendula collected the most PM, followed by Q. robur, and then T. cordata, regardless of the dust’s source. All tested species showed a tendency for higher wax production when growing under PM pollution stress. We believe that, potentially, B. pendula best enhances the quality of the PM-contaminated environment; however, faster leaf fall, reduced productivity, and worse quality of wood should be considered in urban forest management.

Apple trees as a possible monitor and phytoremediator of urban and industrial areas in Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation

“…Plant material was taken from 2-5 adult apple trees at each site. Leaves and fruits ((about 50 mg)) were taken from different quarters of canopy as recommended in (Wang et al 2015;Tošić et al 2016, Krupnova et al 2020aŁukowski et al 2020). All leaf and fruit samples were washed in freshwater to eliminate dust, dirt and insects.…”

Differences in Airborne Particulate Matter Concentration in Urban Green Spaces with Different Spatial Structures in Xi’an, China

“…Sehmel et al found that when the dust-containing air flow passed through the tree crown, some dust with larger particles was blocked by the branches/leaves and fell, and could be returned to the air due to the action of wind and other external forces, while the other part remained on the surface of the branches and leaves [47]. The amount of PM gathered on leaves depends on the quantity, size, and morphology of the leaves, and can also be increased by the presence of epicuticular waxes, in which PM can become stuck or immersed [48]. In the closed multi-layered structural forest, the vertical structure of the vegetation was complex and there were many plant species, which to some extent hinders the airborne particulate matter from settling to the ground [49].…”

Plant-Bacteria Interactions for the Elimination of Atmospheric Contaminants in Cities

“…The accumulation of air pollutants and airborne PMs on leaf surfaces is dependent on the plant species, leaf size and structure, but is also affected by the types of waxes which make up the cuticle, the hairs covering the leaf and leaf smoothness [46,47,182,183]. Both PMs and hydrocarbon contaminants accumulating on the leaf surface affect bacterial communities.…”