Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Screening Urban Tree Species for Air Quality Enhancement: A Review

Natarajan K., Sugumaran M. P., Porkodi G., Hemanth Kumar, Radhakrishnan S., Gayathry G., Jayakumar J., Kalaichelvi K., Suganya K., S. Thangeswari

Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition · pp. 511–518 · Published 28 Aug 2024

10.9734/ajsspn/2024/v10i3363

Abstract

Air pollution poses a significant global challenge, particularly in urban areas, due to factors like industrialization, urbanization, increased vehicular traffic, and high energy consumption. In India, vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and power plants are major contributors to deteriorating air quality, with vehicles alone responsible for substantial carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. Unplanned urbanization and population growth further exacerbate pollution levels. Urban air pollution is linked to millions of deaths and respiratory illnesses annually, especially in developing countries. Vegetation plays a crucial role in mitigating air pollution by absorbing gaseous pollutants and particulate matter through leaves. Plants also act as bioindicators, displaying characteristic responses to specific pollutants. They employ mechanisms like leaf absorption, particulate deposition, and fallout on the leeward side to cleanse the atmosphere. Bio-monitoring with plants is a cost-effective method to assess environmental pollution impacts, highlighting the vital role of urban green spaces in improving air quality and public health. In summary, the screening of trees for pollution abatement is essential in urban planning. The APTI, coupled with assessing the dust-capturing capacity and emission reduction of trees, aids in categorizing them as sensitive indicators or effective pollution sinks.

Air pollution tolerance index bioindicators urban air pollution bio-monitoring mitigation by trees

References (22)

  1. 1 Biological monitoring: lichens as bioindicators of air pollution assessment — a review [DOI]
  2. 2 A review of traffic-related air pollution exposure assessment studies in the developing world [DOI]
  3. 3 Modeled PM2.5 removal by trees in ten U.S. cities and associated health effects [DOI]
  4. 4 Aspects of the biomonitoring studies using mosses and lichens as indicators of metal pollution [DOI]
  5. 5 Effect of air pollution on peri-urban agriculture: a case study [DOI]
  6. 6 Air Pollution tolerance indices (apti) of some plants around Otorogun Gas Plant in Delta State, Nigeria. [DOI]
  7. 7 Assessment of airborne heavy metal pollution by aboveground plant parts [DOI]
  8. 8 Comparative assessment of air pollution tolerance index (APTI) in the industrial (Rourkela) and non industrial area (Aizawl) of India: An eco- management approach [DOI]
  9. 9 Variation in net photosynthesis, stomatal characteristics, leaf area and whole-plant phytomass production among ten provenances of neem (Azadirachta indica) [DOI]
  10. 10 Air Quality Survey Carried Out by Schoolchildren: An Innovative Tool for Urban Planning [DOI]
  11. 11 Assessment of air pollution tolerance levels of selected plants around cement industry, Coimbatore, India.
  12. 12 Assessment of air pollution tolerance index of some trees in Moradabad city, India.
  13. 13 EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION ON CARBOHYDRATE AND NUTRIENTS CONCENTRATIONS IN SOME DECIDUOUS TREE SPECIES
  14. 14 Efficient control of air pollution through plants, a cost-effective alternative: studies on Dalbergia sissoo Roxb [DOI]
  15. 15 Choice of Eco-friendly Trees in Urban Environment to Mitigate Airborne Particulate Pollution [DOI]
  16. 16 Effect of ambient air sulphur dioxide on sulphate accumulation in plants.
  17. 17 Selection of Landscape Tree Species of Tolerant to Sulfur Dioxide Pollution in Subtropical China [DOI]
  18. 18 Exposure assessment needs in studies of acute health effects [DOI]
  19. 19 Air pollution tolerance indices of plants growing around Umuebulu Gas Flare Station in Rivers State, Nigeria [DOI]
  20. 20 Phytomonitoring and NOx pollution around silver refineries [DOI]
  21. 21 Assessment of atmospheric pollution from toxic heavy metals in brass city of India.
  22. 22 Temporal variation of the total nitrogen concentration in aereal organs of nitrogen fixing and non fixing riparian species

Cited by 6

Evaluation of Tolerance Index of Commonly Growing Roadside Plants in Urban Traffic Areas of Mymensingh City, Bangladesh Using Air Pollution Tolerance Index and Metal Accumulation Index

Shahed Mahmud, Sneha Gautam, M. Safiur Rahman · Aerosol Science and Engineering · 2025

Adsorption, catalytic oxidation, and phytoremediation for air pollution control: a comprehensive review

Amirreza Talaie, Mohamad Ali Fulazzaky, Shahabaldin Rezania · Environmental Science: Atmospheres · 2026

Showing 2 of 6 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.

Related research

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

26

Page views

0

PDF downloads

3

Outbound clicks

6

Citations

Views over time

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.