Identification and evaluation of air-pollution-tolerant plants around lignite-based thermal power station for greenbelt development.
BACKGROUND
Thermal power plants emit various gaseous and particulate pollutants into the atmosphere. It is well known that trees help to reduce air pollution. Development of a greenbelt with suitable plant species around the source of emission will mitigate the air pollution. Selection of suitable plant species for a greenbelt is very important.


METHODS
Present study evaluates different plant species around Neyveli thermal power plant by calculating the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) which is based on their significant biochemical parameters. Also Anticipated Performance Index (API) was calculated for these plant species by combining APTI values with other socio-economic and biological parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these indices, the most appropriate plant species were identified for the development of a greenbelt around the thermal power plant to mitigate air pollution. Among the 30 different plant species evaluated, Mangifere indica L. was identified as keystone species which is coming under the excellent category.


CONCLUSIONS
Ambient air quality parameters were correlated with the biochemical characteristics of plant leaves and significant changes were observed in the plants biochemical characteristics due to the air pollution stress.
Bio-Spatial Technology Research Unit, Department of Environmental Biotechnology, School of Environmental Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620 024 Tamil Nadu, India. mgrasu@bdu.ac.in
M
M
Govindaraju
R S
RS
Ganeshkumar
V R
VR
Muthukumaran
P
P
Visvanathan
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003031:Coal; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007194:India; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011210:Power Plants; D013045:Species Specificity; D014197:Trees / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D003031:Coal