ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES(ES)

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Lesson 15:Environmental pollution

Effects of air pollution on plants

• Chronic exposure of leaves to air pollutants can break down the waxy coating that helps prevent excessive water loss and leads to damage from diseases, pests, drought and frost.
  
  
• Such exposure interferes with photosynthesis and plant growth, reduces nutrient uptake and causes the leaves to turn yellow, brown or drop off altogether.
  
  
• At higher concentration of sulphur dioxide, most of the flower buds become stiff and hard; eventually fall off from the plants, as they are unable to flower.
  
  
• Prolonged exposure to high levels of pollutants from iron smelters, coal-burning power plants and industrial units, as well as from vehicles, can damage trees and other plants.