Evaluation of Plant Species for Air Pollution Tolerance Index in Industrial and Residential Regions of West Tamil Nadu, India

The study aims to assess the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of plants in the vicinity of industrial and residential regionsof western Tamil Nadu. Measurements were taken for the years 2020 and 2023. The APTI of eight major tree species was evaluated in the polluted areas. Seventy-five percent of the species showed high relative water content (RWC) values, indicating their tolerance to pollutants. High RWC helps plants maintain adequate chlorophyll levels. Broad-leaved trees with dense canopies required higher chlorophyll concentrations than compound-leaved trees with cone-shaped canopies. The amount of ascorbic acid in the leaves was also used to calculate pollution tolerance. Approximately thirty-eight percent of the plants tested showed moderate to high tolerance to pollution. The remaining species were classified as moderately tolerant or susceptible to pollution, which is concerning given the rising levels of environmental pollution. The APTI ranges suggest that drought- and heat-resistant plants, along with moderately tolerant speciesused to establish green belts. These green belts have the potential to significantly reduce local air pollution. The study highlights the tolerance thresholds of various plant species to air pollution near Erode's process industries. The findings highlight the necessity of selecting appropriate species for green belt development to mitigate air pollution. The number of local plant species that tolerate high pollution levels, the presence of species with moderate or low tolerance. This highlights the necessity for continuous monitoring and proactive environmental management to maintain and enhance air quality.