Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
05:07
Assessing the Particulate Matter Removal Abilities of Tree Leaves
Published on: October 7, 2018
Plant species differences in particulate matter accumulation on leaf surfaces.
1Bioforsk, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Postvegen 213, 4353 Klepp, Norway. arne.sabo@bioforsk.no
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 5, 2012
Summary
Certain trees and shrubs are highly effective at capturing airborne particulate matter (PM). This research identifies efficient plant species for improving urban air quality and reducing human exposure to pollutants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Botany
- Air Quality
Background:
- Particulate matter (PM) poses significant risks to human health and the environment.
- Vegetation can play a role in mitigating air pollution, but species-specific efficiency varies.
- Understanding plant traits that enhance PM accumulation is crucial for urban planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare the particulate matter accumulation on leaves of various tree and shrub species.
- To identify plant species and leaf traits that are most effective in capturing different sizes of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM0.2).
- To provide a ranking of plant species for their potential use in air pollution removal in urban environments.
Main Methods:
- Leaf samples from 22 tree and 25 shrub species were collected from test fields in Norway and Poland.
- Particulate matter on leaves was analyzed for different particle size fractions (PM10, PM2.5, PM0.2).
- Leaf morphological traits, such as hair and wax cover, were assessed for their correlation with PM accumulation.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in leaf PM accumulation (10- to 15-fold) were observed among species at both test sites.
- Pinus mugo, Pinus sylvestris, Taxus media, Taxus baccata, Stephanandra incisa, and Betula pendula demonstrated high efficiency in capturing PM.
- Less efficient species included Acer platanoides, Prunus avium, and Tilia cordata; differences were also noted within the same genus.
- Leaf hairiness and wax cover were identified as important traits influencing PM accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Plant species vary considerably in their capacity to accumulate particulate matter.
- Specific tree and shrub species, like Pinus and Taxus, are highly effective for PM removal.
- The findings support the selection of efficient plant species and strategic planting designs for enhancing urban air quality and reducing human exposure to pollutants.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Light Acquisition
In order to produce glucose, plants need to capture sufficient light energy. Many modern plants have evolved leaves specialized for light acquisition. Leaves can be only millimeters in width or tens of meters wide, depending on the environment. Due to competition for sunlight, evolution has driven the evolution of increasingly larger leaves and taller plants, to avoid shading by their neighbors with contaminant elaboration of root architecture and mechanisms to transport water and nutrients.
01:57Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.
02:22Introduction to Plant Diversity
From Water to Land
02:40Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the biosynthesis of the...
01:18Plant Tissues
Plants are multicellular eukaryotes with tissue systems made of various cell types that carry out specific functions. Different tissues work together to perform a unique function and form an organ. Organs working together form organ systems. Vascular plants have two distinct organ systems: a shoot system and a root system. The shoot system consists of two portions: the vegetative (non-reproductive) parts of the plant, such as the leaves and the stems, and the reproductive parts of the plant,...
03:40Introduction to Seed Plants
Most plants are seed plants—characterized by seeds, pollen, and reduced gametophytes. Seed plants include gymnosperms and angiosperms.