Abstract
The air in African cities is increasingly polluted mainly due to human activities. A bioindication technical of urban air quality based on active remote sensing might be an alternative to existing physico-chemical methods. Reflectance measurements in the visible spectrum have been carried out at the adaxial and abaxial sides of Ficus benjamina L. leaves in the city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with a precision digital camera. Leaves were collected in industrial zones and in parks. The impact of air pollution on leaf physiological as well as structural characteristics in these two contrasts urban environments was determined by Dorsiventral Leaf Reflectance Correlation (DRLC) and dorsiventral leaf reflectance asymmetry quantitatively defined with Normalized Dorsiventral Asymmetry Index (NDAI). Species leaf susceptibility to air pollution from season to season was determined by NDAI seasonal variation. Leaf reflectance measurements allowed the estimation of environmental stress level among industrial areas and parks. NDAI and DLRC were significantly higher in industrial zones compared to parks. NDAI values were found significantly higher for major rainy season compared to major dry season, indicating probably that F. benjamina leaf structure changes were increased from one season to another. Thereby, assessment of urban air quality can be done using leaves reflectance in the visible spectrum.
Highlights
Urbanized and industrialized areas are known to be subjected to high concentrations of air pollutants [1]
Atmospheric pollution is the main result of different components such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particulate matter (PM0.1, PM2.5 and PM10) and organic components, which can originate from various sources
F. benjamina leaf reflectance values for both leaf sides are higher in Parks (P) in comparison with industrial zones (IZ) for all spectral bands according to Table 1
Summary
Urbanized and industrialized areas are known to be subjected to high concentrations of air pollutants [1]. Atmospheric pollution is the main result of different components such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particulate matter (PM0.1, PM2.5 and PM10) and organic components, which can originate from various sources. The main sources in the urban environment are road traffic and industrial activity [2]. Air pollution is a serious threat to human health [3] such as cardiovascular effects and respiratory tract problems [4]. The plants can be used as passive bio-monitors in the urban environment to indicate the environmental quality [8] [9]
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