Introduction

Plants improve air quality in numerous ways: they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, they raise humidity by transpiring water vapour through microscopic leaf pores, and they can passively absorb contaminants on the surface of leaves and in the root-soil system. Here is the brief introduction of air pollution and role of plants in pollution control.

Air Pollution

Air Pollution is the presence of substances that are harmful for humans and another living organism and damage health and causes different climatic issues.

Types of Air Pollution

• Particulate Matter
• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Ozone
• Sulphur dioxide

Particulate Matter

Particulate matter is mix of solids and liquid including carbon, sulphates, nitrates and mineral dust etc. They vary in size. Most damage are smaller particle. Ultrafine particles are the tiniest fine particles with a dimension of less than 0.1 micron.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide is a gas and major component of urban air pollution. Major source of nitrogen dioxide are vehicles, power stations and heating etc.

Ozone

Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms. It absorbs harmful UV light at the highest levels of the Earth’s atmosphere. Summer air pollution events are characterized by high levels of ozone.

Sulphur Dioxide

Sulphur dioxide is a colorless gas with a stifling, unpleasant odour. It’s made when sulphur-containing fuels like coal and oil are burned. This covers transportation, energy generation, and heating.

Main Causes of Air Pollution

• Burning of Fossil Fuels
• Industrial Emission
• Indoor Air Pollution
• Wildfires
• Transportation
• Agricultural Activities

Burning of Fossil Fuels

Most of the air pollution occurs due to burning of fossil fuels such as coal, Oil and gas etc for production of energy or transportation. Due to burning of fossil fuels carbon monoxide gas and other toxic compounds releases in air that cause air pollution.

Industrial Emission

Industries release many air pollutants in the environment that effect the air quality. Nitrogen dioxide, Carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide are the major air pollutants that are emitted from industries.

Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor Air Pollution cause due to inadequate ventilation, uneven temperature and volatile organic compounds.

Wildfires

Burning of farm residue cause air pollution. Smog makes the air harmful and people difficult to breathe.

Transportation

Vehicle Pollution is the major causes of air pollution. Through transport smoke effects air of the environment in urban areas like cities. Vehicle release carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and hydrogen oxide. When vehicle pollution is high in atmosphere that create hole in ozone layer and cause various health issues.

Agricultural Activities

Agricultural activities severe cause the air pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides are main source of air pollution that contaminates the surrounding air. Some mix with water and some seeps into the ground that not only destroys crop but also causes various health issues. let’s discuss air pollution and role of plants in pollution control.

Air Pollution and Role of Plants in Pollution Control

• Respiratory and Heart Problems
• Global Warming
• Effect of Wildlife
• Acid Rain
• Depletion of Ozone Layer
• Destroy health of living organisms
• Eutrophication

Role of Plants in Pollution Control

According to studies, pollution near industries and urban areas can be easily mitigated by simply planting more trees in those locations. Soil erosion is one of the most serious issues that degrades the soil’s organic content and quality. Soil erosion can be managed by planting more trees, as the roots of trees reduce soil erosion by keeping the soil intact and hardening the soil by absorbing some water from the soil.

Read Also:

https://mianfarms.com/top-5-healthy-fruits/

Plants that reduce Air Pollution

• Aloe Vera
• Spider Plant
• Common Ivy
• Areca Palm
• Weeping Fig
• Aglaonema
• Pygmy Date Palm
• Philodendron
• Rubber Fig
• Toot
• Pipal
• Barghad
• Siris
• Neem
• This is all about air pollution and role of plants in pollution control.

  (Writer: M. Asim Anwar, M.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture)