Effect of Traffic Pollution on Plant Photosynthesis

Vehicular exhaust is considered as one of the worst fonTIS of environmental pollution. To assess the effect of traffic pollution on photosynthesis, ieaf samples of four different types of plants at different distances from G.T Road at Wah Cantt were collected. The samples consisted of sunny, shady and semi shady leaves of Orange, Guava, Apricot and Eucalyptus trees. The leaves were washed, dried and homogenized before undertaking analysis for different parameters like total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotene content. Results showed that average values of total chlorophyll varied in the range of 22.6­36.0, chlorophyll a, 12.6-20.0 and chlorophyll b, 16-18.60 and carotene content in the range of 12-34mglgm of the sample taken depending upon the type of the plant and the distance from the busy road. These values were in order of sunny > semi-shady >shady leaves. The concentration of all the pigments increased as the distance from the busy road increased. Soil and the air samples in the vicinity of the trees under study were also analyzed for the concentration of lead, CO, S02 and N02 and particulates and found to be comparatively high in the dense traffic areas and their concentrations tend to decrease as we move away from the road. It is concluded that vehicular emission had significant effect on the photosynthesis of plants.

G F DURRANI ,M HASAN ,M K BALOCH ,G HAMEED ,