Air pollution - Induced biochemical changes in some plants in selected forest reserves in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Air pollution has been reported to induce biochemical changes in plants leaves. This study determined the effect of air pollution on chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids of leaf samples from three forest reserves in Edo state, Nigeria. The leaves of the plants were collected from mature trees and used to determine the values of Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b and carotenoid using standard methods of analysis. Ogba Forest was found to be lowest in both chlorophyll-a and b in Dacryodes edulis (5.00±12.0 mg/100g) and Moringa oleifera (20.09±12.72 mg/100g). Chlorophyll-a was, however, highest in Hura crepitans (16.78±32.45 mg/100g) while chlorophyll-b was highest in Dacryodes edulis (46.25±8.97 mg/100g). While UNIBEN forest reserve recorded the lowest chlorophyll-a value in Moringa oleifera (4.42±24.93 mg/100g) and exhibited lowest value of chlorophyll-b in Albiza labbek (10.33+35.69 mg/100 g). Saponba forest reserve recorded lowest chlorophyll-a in Magnifera indica (7.05±11.48 mg/100g), it was however, highest in Irvinga garbonesis (14.61±18.14 mg/100 g). Its value in chlorophyll-b, however, ranged from 12.66±1.68 to 31.05± 20.14 mg/100g. Same trend was observed with the carotenoid contents across board. Ogba forest reserve indicated the lowest value from Dacryodes edulis (6.72±6.73mg/100g), it was highest in Hura crepitans (23.86±7.84 mg/100g). UNIBEN forest reserve recorded lowest in Magnifera indica (3.10±0.37 mg/100g) and highest in Dacryodes edulis (21.73±15.11 mg/100g). Saponba forest reserve was not different in trend, as its lowest value was recorded in Entadrophragma angolensis (0.04±2.23 mg/100g) and highest in Magnifera indica (11.17±3.20 mg/100g). Species lowest in both chlorophyll-a and b and carotenoids are therefore more susceptible to the impact of air pollution in their respective forest reserves.