Abstract Detail

Bryology and Lichenology

CHATTERJEE, SNEHANJANA [1].

Biomonitoring of the air quality of the city of Kolkata with the galls of Alstonia scholaris leaves.

Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases, particulates, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. The concept of monitoring of air quality by plants is a well-established fact. It is known that some plants are very sensitive to air pollutants; they are thus used as indicator species for biomonitoring of air quality. The use of lichens and moss for air pollution level mapping in urban and industrial area are the finest examples of plant biomonitoring of air quality. The use of higher plants for monitoring of air pollution is, however, a recent development. A number of plant parameters either simply or in combination may be used for evaluating the pollution stress. Monitoring and detection by the instrument cannot be possible everywhere however, an indication from plant species by their alterations in morphological and biochemical parameters may be a suitable and easy screening measurement. The present study aims to detect morphological and biochemical changes in leaves of Alstonia scholaris found in the Kolkata city area that is exposed to vehicular emission. The results clearly indicate that vehicular load brought significant changes in foliar morphology, numbers of gall formation and biochemical parameters such as pigment content, enzyme activities etc of leaves of A. scholaris. It is concluded that increased Air Pollution Index and gall formation in A. scholaris can be used as early monitoring parameters for air pollution by vehicular emission.

1 - 6, Swamijee Road, Behala Parnasree, Kolkata-700060, KOLKATA, WB, 700060, India

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P1, Bryology and Lichenology Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Monday, July 19th, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: P1BL002
Abstract ID:1187
Candidate for Awards:None