Pollution Monitoring using the Leaf-deposited Particulates and Magnetism of the Leaves of 23 Plant Species in a Semi-arid City, Northwest China

Abstract

We conducted a study of the leaf-deposited particles and magnetism of plant leaves in different functional areas (traffic areas, parks and residential areas) in Lanzhou, China. The saturation isothermal remanence (SIRM) of the washed and unwashed leaves of 23 plant species (including evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, deciduous liana species and deciduous trees) at three sampling heights (0.5 m, 1.5 m and 2.5 m) was measured. In addition, the mass of the leaf-deposited particles was measured using the elution-filtration method and the leaf morphological characteristics were determined by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) analysis. The results revealed significant differences in particles retention capacity among the 23 plant species, with evergreen shrub species at the heights of 0.5 m and 1.5 m having higher particles concentrations. Buxus sinica, Buxus megistophylla, Prunus cerasifera and Ligustrum×vicaryi were the most effective plant species for accumulating particles. The SEM results showed that leaves with a relatively complex adaxial surface (such as deep grooves and protrusions) were more effective at accumulating particles. The SIRM of washed leaves, unwashed leaves and leaf-deposited particles were significantly higher in traffic areas than in parks and residential areas. In addition, significant correlations were found between SIRM of unwashed leaves and leaf-deposited particles and the mass of leaf-deposited particles, and therefore the leaf magnetic properties effectively reflect levels of PM pollution under different environmental conditions. Overall, our results provide a valuable reference for the selection of plant species with high particle retention capacity that suitable for urban greening and pollution mitigation.