IMPACT OF AIR POLLUTION ON LEVEL OF ESSENTIAL MINERAL CONTENT AND HEAVY METAL OF PLANT SPECIES FROM CHEMBUR INDUSTRIAL AREA OF MUMBAI, INDIA

Abstract

The rapid development in urban and industrial areas has risen the air pollution problem for a few decades. Plants leaves can maintain their essential mineral content even under the air pollution stress and can survive for a longer period. Aiming at the current issue of air pollution, the present study was carried out to determine heavy metal and essential element concentration present in twelve landscape plant species collected from the Chembur industrial area of Mumbai. Heavy metal accumulation in leaves exhibits an impact on plant metabolic processes. The highest cobalt concentration (3.07 ppm) was reported by Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. in the rainy season. The highest chromium concentration was reported by Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand (11.38 ppm) in the summer season. Calcium mineral content was found to be maximum for Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de wit (60472 ppm) in the summer season. The highest potassium mineral content was observed for Polyalthia longifolia (27738 ppm) in the rainy season. Apluda mutica L. has reported the highest magnesium content (8475 ppm) in the summer season and Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand has reported the highest sodium content (10028 ppm) in the summer season. Raised heavy metal load of plant leaves reduces the essential mineral content of plant species. Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de wit, Polyalthia longifolia, Apluda mutica L., Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand could maintain the mineral content necessary for metabolic processes and can survive for a longer duration even under pollution stress. Also, these plant species exhibited cobalt and chromium concentration in normal limits as well as have certain medicinal values. Hence these plant species can be planted in large numbers around the industrial area to develop green zone and for their medicinal uses.