Urban atmospheric particulates and their effect on tree canopies

The book describes aspects of atmospheric particulate distribution and their deposition on urban canopy and the response of plants in terms of their tolerance and sensitivity in the stressed habitats like Kolkata city, India. Significant spatial and temporal variation of suspended particulates was observed along with elevated levels of trace metals in aerosols and canopy leaves. Source apportionment reflects vehicular exhausts, fossil fuel combustion, and composite industrial emissions as responsible for metallic elements. Species like Ficus religiosa, Ficus bengalensis, Polyalthia longifolia, Putranjiva roxburghii, Anthocephalas Cadamba are considered as good accumulator particulates as well as metallic contaminants. Most of these plants showed the considerable variation of their biochemical and physiological characteristics, indicating their response to stressed habitat. Reduced chlorophyll content, higher ascorbic acid content and higher catalase and peroxidase activities in these plants indicate the rise of their derivative metabolism. Moderate to high APTI-value in these species signifies their suitability as tolerant plants for greenbelt development in urban region.

Autorentext

Dr. Sandeep Kar obtained his PhD degree in Environmental Science from University of Kalyani, India and presently working as post-doctoral researcher at Taiwan. He has worked in the field of atmospheric particulates, trace metal chemistry and arsenic mobilization. He has published more than 30 research articles in reputed journals and in books.