Postgraduate Department and Research Centre of Botany, University College, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, Kerala, 695 034, India.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Feb;28(8):9979-9990. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-11131-1. Epub 2020 Nov 7.
Air pollutant concentration of Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, exceeded the limits of National Ambient Air Quality (NAAQ) standards, according to a study conducted in 2015 by NATPAC. These polluted corridors harbour vegetation on roadsides and traffic islands, planted solely for aesthetic appeal. Analysis of air pollution tolerance levels of existing plants can act as a scientific basis for efficient planning of the urban landscape. Sixty-seven species, including flowering, fruit-bearing, ornamental, shade-providing and timber-yielding species, were screened for their relative resistance to air pollution. Based on leaf pH, relative water content, chlorophyll and ascorbic acid levels, the Air Pollution Tolerance Indices (APTI) of each species were formulated and they were grouped into the following: tolerant, moderately tolerant, intermediate and sensitive groups. Agave americana (18.40), Cassia roxburghii (17.63), Anacardium occidentale (11.97), Cassia fistula (11.60), Mangifera indica (11.59) and Saraca asoca (10.88) may be considered for planting near green spaces like roundabouts and near pollution prone industrial areas, as they belong to tolerant category. Comparison of APTI during summer and monsoon also revealed the stability of Agave americana, Saraca asoca, Ficus benghalensis, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Ficus elastica, Ixora finlaysoniana, Mangifera indica, Canna indica and Delonix regia in maintaining pollution tolerance even during water disparity. Agave americana, Anacardium occidentale, Ficus elastica, Mangifera indica, Syzygium cumini, Ficus benghalensis, Nerium oleander and Ficus benjamina were found to be suited for mass planting, as was evident from their Anticipated Performance Indices (API).
根据 NATPAC 于 2015 年进行的一项研究，喀拉拉邦首府特里凡得琅的空气污染物浓度超过了国家环境空气质量（NAAQ）标准。这些污染走廊的路边和交通岛上种植了植被，纯粹是为了美观。分析现有植物对空气污染的耐受水平可以为城市景观的有效规划提供科学依据。对 67 种包括开花、结果、观赏、遮荫和产材的植物进行了筛选，以确定它们对空气污染的相对抗性。根据叶片 pH 值、相对含水量、叶绿素和抗坏血酸水平，制定了每个物种的空气污染耐受指数（APTI），并将它们分为以下几类：耐受、中度耐受、中间和敏感。龙舌兰（Agave americana）（18.40）、罗望子（Cassia roxburghii）（17.63）、腰果（Anacardium occidentale）（11.97）、决明子（Cassia fistula）（11.60）、芒果（Mangifera indica）（11.59）和无忧树（Saraca asoca）（10.88）可考虑种植在交通环岛和污染严重的工业区附近的绿地，因为它们属于耐受类别。比较夏季和季风期间的 APTI 还显示，龙舌兰、无忧树、榕属、紫檀、印度橡皮树、龙船花、芒果、美人蕉和无忧花在维持污染耐受方面的稳定性，即使在水分差异较大的情况下也是如此。龙舌兰、腰果、印度橡皮树、芒果、西印度醋栗、榕属、夹竹桃和凤凰木被认为适合大规模种植，这从它们的预期表现指数（API）中可以明显看出。
