Identification of the most tolerant plant species along the Chembur industrial area of Mumbai: a key step to mitigate global air pollution

Mitigation of air pollution is the major global challenge in the current world. Quality of air is undergoing continuous deterioration due to industrial and urban development. The present study aims at the seasonal investigation of air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and anticipated performance index (API) of six commonly found plant species namely Ziziphus jujube (S1), Pithecellobium dulce (Sw.) DC (S2), Celosia argentea L. (S3), Ricinus communis L. (S4), Apluda mutica L. (S5) and Terminalia catappa L. (S6) growing along the industrial area (Chembur) of Mumbai. The air pollution tolerance indices were evaluated by using pH, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll content, the relative water content in the fresh leaves of plant species growing along the industrial and non-industrial area of Mumbai. The API was determined on combining the APTI values of the plant species with their biological and socio-economic parameters. The APTI of all the industrial zone plant species was found to be higher than the non-industrial zone plant species in all the three seasons. The rise in the mean of the three season’s APTI of S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6 plant species from the polluted industrial zone over the less-polluted non-industrial zone was found to be 60.14, 76.59, 71.98, 82.30, 71.12, 65.52%, respectively. The higher API values obtained for the Pithecellobium dulce (Sw.) DC, Ricinus communis L. and Terminalia catappa L. plant species from polluted zone indicated higher air pollution tolerance and hence are recommended for green belt expansion in the Chembur industrial area. Terminalia catappa L. is an evergreen plant which can be planted in large number to develop green zone throughout the year around the Chembur industrial area. Similar studies can be performed globally to increase green zones around any industrial or residential area which will provide healthy living for the next generations on the earth.