Evaluating the Potential Use of Four Tree Species in the Greenbelts to Mitigate the Cement Air Pollution in Egypt

Abstract

Air pollution due to industrial emissions is one of the environmental problems in the world. It has negative effects on the environment and the health of living organisms. Tree species can improve the air quality and aesthetic value of the landscape. They are affected by different air pollutants and show varying levels of tolerance and sensitivity when growing as green belts around cement factories. The present study aimed at evaluating the potential use of four tree species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Casaurina equisetifolia, Conocarpus lancifolius, Ficus benjamina) growing in the green belt of 21 cement factories in Egypt to mitigate air pollution through assessing their air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and anticipated performance index (API), compared with two reference sites. Fresh fully expanded leaves were collected from the selected species at the same time for laboratory measurements of leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid (AA), total chlorophyll (TCH), and leaf extract pH to calculate the APTI and API. The results showed that E. camaldulensis was anticipated as an excellent performer, C. equisetifolia and C. lancifolius as very good performers, while F. benjamina was anticipated as a good performer. The values of API for the target species indicated their tolerance to cement pollution. It is recommended that the target species be planted extensively in the green belts of cement factories and other urban industrial areas to mitigate cement air pollution.