Investigating Foliar Surfaces and Epicuticular Waxes for Airborne Particulate Matter Deposition and Potential Plant Species to Improvise Air Quality of a Smart City.

Abstract

Particulate Matter (PM) pollution poses significant risks to human health and the environment, necessitating effective reduction strategies. The effects have been more evident in the industrial belts and areas in its vicinity. Vegetation, particularly leaves, have been recognized as a natural filter capable of trapping airborne pollutants like PM in these areas. The present study explores the ability of different plant species in Rourkela to capture PM of varying size fractions from air. The amount of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 deposited on the foliar surfaces and trapped in epicuticular waxes of plant species were segregated and quantified by separate gravimetric analyses, from three different sites in Rourkela, and over three different seasons. Plants of all species were found to accumulate PM of large and coarse fraction sizes efficiently. Depending on the location and season, it was found that the quantities of foliar and in-wax PM varied among the studied plant species. Among the three seasons, the highest amount of PM accumulated by the plant species was recorded in the winter season measuring 90.102 × 10^- 4 g/cm². Furthermore, locational analysis of PM load identified site A to be the most PM polluted region followed by site B and site C. Overall, this research identifies plant species like Senna siamea, Thevetia peruviana and Alstonia scholaris that can efficiently accumulate both PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and can be utilized for phytoremediation by developing a "Green Belt" in the PM polluted areas.