Effects of Air Pollution in Leaves of Urban Trees

Abstract

Urban air pollution is a major environmental concern, particularly inindustrialized cities. Air contamination affects the life quality of inhabitantsand animals of these cities and also the biology of plant species. The aim ofthis study is to evaluate the effects of air pollution on leaf anatomy of speciesused in urban forestry in selected cities of Argentina. For this, traditionaltechniques for anatomical studies were used. The results showed variationsin the anatomical responses of the different species, always related to thedegree of pollution of the air. The principal anatomical characters affectedby contamination were: thickness of the leaf lamina and the cuticule, quantityof tanins, structure of the mesophyll and differences in calcium oxalatecrystals. The variations in leaf anatomical characteristics could act as bioindicatorsof air pollution and also could allow a better choice of lesssuceptible species for urban forestry.