The use of plants as phytoindicators of environmental pollution

Abstract

This article presents the results of long-term observations of the phytoindication abilities of green spaces growing on the streets of the city. Trees and shrubs in the urban environment perform an important function of cleaning the atmospheric air from pollution by dust particles, exhaust gases from motor vehicles, and industrial processing products by accumulating heavy metal salts in their organs. Plants are able to delay strong winds and noise pollution. One of the brightest representatives with a number of phytoindication abilities is a coniferous plant, Pinus sylvestris L. The purpose of our study was to identify phytoindication abilities in trees using the example of Scots pine as well as bio-indication diagnostic signs. To achieve this goal, multiple studies were conducted with the collection of samples at five sites located in different parts of the city. As a result of the studies, the main bioindicative signs of Pinus sylvestris L. needles were revealed: chlorosis, marginal and point necrosis, shrinkage, etc. The results obtained have practical application for solving urban planning problems.