Deposition of Particulate Matter of Different Size Fractions on Leaf Surfaces and in Waxes of Urban Forest Species

• Published in: International journal of phytoremediation Vol. 13; no. 10; pp. 1037 - 1046
• Main Authors: Dzierżanowski, Kajetan, Popek, Robert, Gawrońska, Helena, Sæbø, Arne, Gawroński, Stanislaw W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01.11.2011; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acer campestre; air; air filters; Air Movements; air pollutants; Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - chemistry; Air Pollution - prevention & control; air quality; Bioremediation; Cities; coarse particles; Contaminants; Deposition; Environment; Environmental Monitoring - methods; fine particles; Flowers & plants; Forests; Forsythia; Forsythia - chemistry; Fraxinus excelsior; Germany; Hedera - chemistry; Hedera helix; Leaves; Magnoliopsida - chemistry; Mills; Nonnative species; Particle Size; Particulate Matter - chemistry; particulates; Physocarpus opulifolius; Phytoremediation; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Planting; Platanus; Poland; Rosaceae - chemistry; Sedimentation & deposition; shrubs; Spiraea japonica; Tilia cordata; Trees; Trees - metabolism; urban forest; wax; Waxes; Waxes - chemistry; Waxes - metabolism; Poland
• ISSN: 1549-7879; 1522-6514; 1549-7879
• DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2011.552929

Particulate matter (PM) is an air contaminant in urban and industrial areas that often exceeds limit values, creating serious problems due to its harmful effects on health. Planting trees and shrubs as air filters is a way to improve air quality in these areas. However, further knowledge on species effectiveness in air purification is essential. This study compared four species of tree (Acer campestre L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Platanus × hispanica Mill. ex Muenchh. ‘Acerifolia’, Tilia cordata Mill.), three species of shrub (Forsythia × intermedia Zabel, Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim., Spiraea japonica L.), and one climber species (Hedera helix L.) that are commonly cultivated along streets in Poland to capture fine, coarse and larger particles from air. Separate gravimetric analyses were performed to quantify PM deposited on surfaces and trapped in waxes. Significant differences were found between the plant species tested. The distribution of different particle size fractions differed between and within species and also between leaf surfaces and in waxes.