Tree responses to foliar dust deposition and gradient of air pollution around opencast coal mines of Jharia coalfield, India: gas exchange, antioxidative potential and tolerance level

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2021-02, Vol.28 (7), p.8637-8651
• Main Authors: Singh, Siddharth, Pandey, Bhanu, Roy, Lal Babu, Shekhar, Sameer, Singh, Ranjeet Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Air Pollutants - analysis; Air pollution; Air Pollution - analysis; Antioxidants; Aquatic Pollution; Ascorbic acid; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Butea monosperma; Chlorophyll; Coal; Coal mines; Coal mining; Conductance; Deposition; Dust; Dust - analysis; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental science; Ficus benghalensis; Gas exchange; Herbivores; India; Indigenous species; Leaves; Mining; Moisture content; Open pit mining; pH effects; Photosynthesis; Plant extracts; Plant species; Pollutants; Pollution load; Research Article; Resistance; Stomata; Stomatal conductance; Sulfates; Superoxide dismutase; Trees; Variation; Waste Water Technology; Water content; Water Management; Water pollution; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11088-1

Atmospheric pollution by opencast mining activities affects tree species around the mining area. The present study evaluated the responses of five native tree species to air pollution in Jharia coalfield. Sites were selected as closest to farthest from the mining area. Foliar dust deposition and foliar sulphate content affected stomatal conductance, superoxide dismutase activity and ascorbic acid and, thus, increased the susceptibility of sensitive species. Ficus benghalensis and Butea monosperma showed maximum dust deposition, while Adina cordifolia showed minimum deposition. Maximum dust deposition in Ficus benghalensis lowered stomatal conductance and, thus, checked the flux of other acidic gaseous pollutants which led to minimum variation in leaf extract pH. Higher stomatal conductance in Adina cordifolia and Aegle marmelos , on the other hand, facilitated the entry of acidic pollutants and disrupted many biological functions by altering photosynthesis and inducing membrane damage. Low variations in Ficus religiosa , Ficus benghalensis and Butea monosperma with sites and seasons suggest better physiological and morphological adaptations towards pollution load near coal mining areas. Tree species with better adaptation resisted variation in leaf extract pH by effectively metabolising sulphate and, thus, had higher chlorophyll content and relative water content.