Chapter 13 - Impact of emissions from coal-based thermal power plants on surrounding vegetation and air quality over Bokaro Thermal Power Plant

Abstract

The consequential effects of fly-ash emissions near the coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) are reflected in foliage surfaces as well on plants’ tolerance responses. In this chapter, the main emphasis is on observing the changes in concentration of biochemical parameters of eight selected plant species due to anthropogenic pollutants (particulate matter) in the vicinity of Bokaro Thermal Power Plants (BTPS), India. It was found that the selected plant species showed the highest dust retention during the postmonsoon (4.27±1.03mgcm−2) followed by that in the premonsoon (3.04±0.86mgcm−2) and monsoon (0.92±0.18mgcm−2) seasons. Similar trends were observed for ambient air quality and dust loading near BTPS, Bokaro. Based on the estimated Air Pollution Tolerance Index, Polyalthia longifolia was identified as the most tolerant species against air pollution while Ficus benghalensis showed the maximum dust retention due to its foliage morphology. Experimental results revealed a positive linear relationship between foliar dust loading and ascorbic acid, pH of foliage extract, and APTI of plant species. On the other hand, it was negatively correlated with its chlorophyll content and relative water content (RWC). Results show pronounced variations in biochemical variables; hence essential pigments cannot be used solely to categorize the species. Statistical analysis indicated the direct impacts of pollution caused by TPPs on the essential pigments in the selected plant. The direct influence of variations in air quality on plant physiology and its tolerance with the changing seasonal pollutant load is one of the key findings of this study. Results show that due to the deposition of fly ash on their foliage surfaces, plants show physiological changes which led to creating health impacts on exposed plants. Further, extensive experiment on individual plant species is required to find the long-term impacts on the plant's photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and growth rate near such industries.