Air pollution on vegetation

air pollutants

The effects of air pollution on our general life have been well documented, but a specific interest group[1] focusing on gardens and wildlife have been researched by local organisations.[2] Other national[3] and international organisations monitor air pollution also research its effects on people and vegetation.

Forecasts

Public interest has necesitated the need for ready available pollution tools and a forecast map was published by DEFRA , (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) [4] This site features a colour coded outlook forecast which can be viewed up to 5 (five) days ahead.

Research

ozone
Nitrogen dioxide

A pilot project was undertaken in a sheffield park to determine the effects of air pollution on plant life growth patterns. The project has since completed and was managed by a research graduate whose work is being verified. This project and future comparitive studies will show how air pollutants affect topical scorching on plant leaf and stunted growth as measured on cytokenins. Some of the plants used in this project included snap beans, wheat and white clover whose surface structure is suscetible to pollutants like ozone and nitrogen dioxide. Medical symptoms like lung irritation can be observed with the increase in air pollutants.[5] Crop yields are also stunted.

Hand held pollution monitors

Hand held monitors that are able to monitor volitile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide are increasingly been purchased by consumers in the expectation of citizen monitoring.[6] An indiegogo project also raised funds for a smaller more cost effective hand held device that can be linked to a mobile device for push notifications.[7]

Animation

animation coming soon

Press

A recent newspaper article highlighted the need to research air pollution and its effects on vegetation.[8] This follows many features in national broadcasters that highlight the increase in health problems attributed to air pollutants.[5] Government organisations[9] have increased their promotion of clean air policies in the hope lower health care costs.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/9/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.