AIR POLLUTION TOLERANCE INDEX OF PLANTS AROUND SELECTED SITES IN DELTA STATE

Author: OSAIGU USIYARARE BLESSING EBRUBA

Abstract

The study examined the air pollution tolerance indices (APTI) of ten plant species around Ebedei (gas faring site) and Issele-Azagba (foundry site), Delta state, Nigeria. Four physiological and biochemical parameters, which are relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid content (AA), total leaf chlorophyll (TCh) and leaf extract pH were used to compute the value of the APTI values. The result showed order of tolerance in plant when both the foundry and gas flaring sites is compared to the control site (Abraka). For Manihot esculenta, the APTI increase with 33.9% at the foundry site while the APTI reduce with 15.2% at the gas flaring site. The Chromoalaena 7 odorata species has a decrease percentage of 34.7% at the foundry site and an increase of 27.4% at the gas flaring site. The Musa paradisica species for the APTI shows a decrease of 21.2% (foundry site) and an increase of 17.6% (gas flaring site). Other results show an increase in the APTI for both the foundry site and the gas flaring site apart from Psidium guayava and Centrosema pubescens plant species which were at a decrease both in the foundry and gas flaring sites.

Supervisor: Dr. O. O EMOYAN