Gyan Prakash Gupta

Industrial dust sulphate and its effects on biochemical and morphological characteristics of Morus (Morus alba) plant in NCR Delhi

Abundance of CaCO3 rich soil dust is a typical feature of atmospheric environment in the Indian region. During prevailing dry weather conditions, dustfall is deposited onto the foliar surfaces of plant affecting their morphology, stomata and the levels of biochemical constituents. This study reports the chemical characteristics of dustfall, its effect on foliar morphology and biochemical constituents of a medicinal plant (Morus alba) at two sites which are differentiated on the basis of landuse pattern, viz., (i) residential, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and (ii) industrial, Sahibabad (SB), located in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. Dustfall was characterized for major anions (F−, Cl−, NO3− and SO4−−) and cations (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg++ and Ca++). Biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline and ascorbic acid were determined in foliar samples. The results showed that the dustfall fluxes of all the major ions were found to be higher at the industrial site (SB) as compared to the residential site (JNU). Foliar analysis revealed that the levels of biochemical parameters were more affected at SB site due to higher levels of dust SO4−− contributed by various anthropogenic sources resulting in more stressful conditions affecting the biochemistry of the plant. The possible entry pathways for dust SO4−− into foliar cells are also discussed in the paper. It was noticed that the deposition of urban dust was responsible for the damage of trichome, epidermis, cuticle and stomatal guard cells significantly affecting foliar morphology. SB exhibited more damage to these morphological parts suggesting that industrial dust is harmful to the plants.

Urban climate and its effect on biochemical and morphological characteristics of Arjun ( Terminalia arjuna ) plant in National Capital Region Delhi

This paper reports impacts of urban pollution on the biochemical and morphological characteristics of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) in particular the effects of urban industrial dustfall deposition on its foliar surface at a residential site (Jawaharlal Nehru University, JNU) and an industrial site (Sahibabad, SB) in Delhi region. Atmospheric dustfall fluxes were estimated for major anions and cations. Morphological analysis of foliar samples was carried out by using the scanning electron microscope. Biochemical parameters, namely chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total soluble sugar, proline amino acid and ascorbic acid were also analysed in foliar samples. Results showed that the dustfall fluxes of () at the industrial site were almost three times higher than that of the residential site. This can be attributed to the emissions of industrial activities and diesel-driven vehicular traffic in the area. It was observed that these elevated fluxes of and had significant impacts on the biochemical constituents of the plant and foliar morphology. Concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoids were recorded decreasing with increasing dustfall fluxes of (), whereas proline and ascorbic acid were found to be increasing with the increase in the dustfall fluxes of () indicating the effect of pollution stress. The study showed that the deposition of dustfall was responsible for damage to stomata and leaf surface morphology, more significantly at the industrial site.

Impact and pollution indices of urban dust on selected plant species for green belt development: mitigation of the air pollution in NCR Delhi, India

This paper reports biochemical changes in foliar of four plant species due to deposition of atmospheric dust falling onto the foliar surface. The paper also reports air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and air pollution index (API) in order to categorize the selected plants into sensitive and tolerant species against air pollution and their usefulness for green belt development in National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi. Two sites and four plant species Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Morus (Morus alba), Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), and Ashok (Polyalthia longifolia) were selected for this study. Results indicated that for all the plant foliar, the dustfall fluxes were more than two times higher at the industrial site (SB) than that at the residential site (JNU). Among major ions (Cl−, F−, NO3−, SO4−2, Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++), Ca++ and SO4−2 had very high fluxes representing as major constituents of dustfall at both the sites. APTI values suggested that all the four species are sensitive species and can be used as biological indicators. API values suggested that Arjun and Morus are very good performers (API = 5) whereas Sheesham and Ashok as only good performers (API = 4) further suggesting that Arjun and Morus species can be used for green belt development in NCR Delhi. Since Sheesham and Ashok have their aesthetic as well as economic values and are good performers, these can also be planted for green belt development.

Biomonitoring and Remediation by Plants

Dealing with environmental pollution promises to be one of man’s most urgent problems in the years to come. This chapter deals with different components of air pollution biomonitoring and their remediation by using different plant species of herbs, shrubs, and trees as green technology. Various methods of biomonitoring apply the whole or part of an organism to measure the exposure of a plant as well as accumulation of a pollutant. They have the great advantage to show clearly the effects of air pollutants as bioindicator plants. Bioindicators can reveal the impact and the cumulative effects of different pollutants. Phytoremediation is a set of processes such as rhizodegradation, phytostabilization, phytofiltration, phytoextraction, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilization. Through these processes plants remediate the pollutants, partially and sustainably from the atmosphere. Atmospheric gases (NO2, SO2, O3, etc.), heavy metals, and VOC pollutants are reduced by absorbing and metabolizing them into less toxic compounds by site-specific plants or through the changes in the plant genome by overexpression of pollution-fighting genes through genetic engineering.

Snow Chemistry at Mukteshwar in Central Himalayan Region of India

The present study reports snow chemistry and source apportionment at Mukteshwar in central Himalayan region of India during winter 2012-13. In this study, fresh snowfall samples were collected at Mukteshwar during winter season of 2012-13. The results showed that the pH of the snowmelt samples ranged from 5.47 to 7.95 with an average of 6.37 indicating alkaline nature of precipitation which is similar to the range reported. The concentration of ions followed the following order- Ca2+ > Cl- > Na+ > SO4 2- > HCO3 - > NH4 + > NO3 - > Mg2+ > K+ > F-. Very high concentration of Ca2+ indicated the dominance of crustal sources. Source fraction calculations revealed that crustal, marine and anthropogenic sources contributed 40%, 38% and 22% ionic components in snowmelt, respectively. Since, Mukteshwar is remote site as compared to Delhi, values of NO3 - were compared with the NO3 - reported in the precipitation (rain water) of Delhi as NO3 - is an indicator of vehicular pollution in urban areas. Such comparison of NO3 - values suggested that though Mukteshwar precipitation had 1/3 of NO3 - in precipitation as compared to Delhi, but considering it as a small town, precipitation at Mukteshwar is significantly influenced vehicular sources possibly due to Long Range Transport (LRT) of pollution.

Chemical characteristics of ambient aerosols contributed by cooking process at Noorpur village near Delhi (India)

Combustion of fuels such as wood, crop residue and dung cakes etc. is one of the major sources of air pollution in developing countries. These fuels are still used commonly for cooking purpose in rural India. This study investigates the chemical composition of the ambient aerosols during cooking hours at a village called Noorpur (28.470 N, 77.030 E) which lies near Delhi city. Aerosol sampling was carried out during August 2011-May 2012 by using handy sampler (Envirotech model APM 821) installed at the terrace of a building (∼6m). The samples were collected on 8 hourly basis using Teflon filters. The water extract of these filters was analyzed for major anions (F−, Cl−, NO3−, SO42−) and major cations (Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+ Mg2+) by ion chromatography (Metrohm 883 Basic IC Plus). Results highlighted that cooking process contributed significant amount of SO42− and K+⋅. Biomass burning is considered as a potential source of K+ in air. The high concentration of SO42− might be due to oxidation of SO2 contributed...