Roadside air pollution in a tropical city: physiological and biochemical response from trees

Background

The economic growth and social interaction of many developing countries have been enhanced by vehicular transportation. However, this has come with considerable environmental cost. The vehicular emissions of gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) among others are associated with vehicular transportation. The resultant effect can lead to respiratory infections in humans, as well as growth inhibition and death of animals and plants. An investigation was conducted to evaluate the impact of vehicular air pollutants on some selected roadside tree species in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. Ficus platyphylla, Mangifera indica, Polyalthia longifolia and Terminalia catappa, which were abundant and well distributed along the road sides, were selected for the study. Three arterial roads in the Kumasi Metropolis, namely Accra Road (Arterial I), Offinso Road (Arterial II) and Mampong Road (Arterial III), were considered as different traffic volumes experimental sites. The KNUST campus was selected as a control site. Diurnal analysis of CO, NO₂, SO₂ and VOC was monitored in the sample sites. Three replicates of each tree species were defined at a distance 10 m away from the edge of the road. Physiologically active leaves (20 to 25) from each tree species replicate were harvested for physiological and biochemical determination.

Results

The ambient air quality data showed higher levels at the arterial road sites, which were severely polluted based on air quality index. The biochemical studies revealed reductions in leaf total chlorophyll and leaf extract pH whilst leaf ascorbic acid and relative water contents increased at the arterial road sites.

Conclusion

It was found that the plants’ tolerant response level to vehicular air pollution was in the order T. catappa > F. platyphylla > M. indica and P. longifolia. Based on anticipated performance index, it was revealed that M. indica, F. platyphylla and T. catappa might be performing some level of air cleaning functions along the arterial roads. Whilst P. longifolia was poor and unsuitable as a pollution sink.

Vehicular emissions in developed countries have been largely controlled by improvement on vehicle parts and fuel content. However, such cannot be said of developing countries, where many old and poorly maintained vehicles ply the roads, coupled with the use of poor grade quality fuel. Transportation which is associated with the burning of diesel and gasoline in automobiles has high consideration as a source of air pollution, both at regional and global levels. Motor vehicles discharge a large amount of exhaust emission like carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxide (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter that represent 60–70% of the air contamination found in an urban area (Dwivedi and Tripathi 2007). The principal pollutants emitted from gasoline-fuelled vehicles are CO, hydrocarbons (HC), and NOx while particulate matter, NOx, SO₂ and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are emitted by diesel-fuelled vehicles (Bhandarkar 2013).

There is considerable proof to buttress the possibility of plants, particularly trees to function as sinks for gaseous pollutants. Pollution removal by plants occur either through deposition on plant surfaces and/or stomatal uptake. According to Nowak and Crane (2000), short-term air quality enhancement in urban territories with trees cover were 14% sulphur dioxide, 8% nitrogen dioxide, 0.05% carbon monoxide and 15% ozone. Air pollutants on entering the plants through the stomata undergo complex interactions within the cells leading to series of reactions, some of which enhances the capacity of the plant to adapt to the stress (Mittler 2002), and invariably show diverse morphological, biochemical, anatomical and physiological responses.

The biochemical and physiological reactions aid the plant species in pollution tolerance development against air pollution. The plants response to air pollutants is hypothetically measured using air pollution tolerance index (Singh and Rao 1983). This index is related to plant leaves ascorbic acid, relative water content, leaf pH and total chlorophyll. The change of these parameters reveals the sensitivity and plants’ tolerance to air contamination. The distinguishing proof and arrangement of plants into delicate and tolerant groupings is vital on the grounds that the former can fill in as markers and the latter as sinks for the decrease of air contamination (Singh et al. 1991).

Trees are subjected to these emissions because of its stationary nature. The activity of the major physiological processes in the leaf makes it the most susceptible part to be influenced by air pollutants. Research on Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) and Anticipated Performance Index (API) had been done in India (Gupta et al. 2011; Pathak et al. 2011). However, studies on reaction of tree plants in view of APTI and API are yet to be carried out in other climes of the world and studies conducted from different nations are limited, for example, Iran (Esfahani et al. 2013) and Nigeria (Ogunkunle et al. 2015).

In Ghana, traffic intensity is high in many metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, the extent of vehicular air pollution levels in these cities is mostly not monitored. Such information, nevertheless, is necessary in controlling air pollution and to provide baseline studies on the air pollution in various metropolises in the country. Furthermore, knowledge of the plants that is able to tolerate vehicular air pollution and act as a sink for the toxic gases would be instrumental in controlling air pollution along major roads, especially those with heavy traffic and increased vehicular emissions. The findings from this study will contribute immensely towards developing effective measures for controlling air pollution in fast growing tropical metropolis, as well as provide vital information of tolerant plants species.

Study area

Kumasi is the second biggest city in Ghana. It is situated around 270 km north of the national capital, Accra, 397 km south of Tamale (Northern Regional capital) and 120 km south-east of Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Regional capital). Kumasi is situated between latitude 6.6666° N and longitude 1.6163° W and has a land range of 254 km². The minimum temperature in the area is around 21.5 °C with the maximum temperature of 33.7 °C. There are seven major arterial roads leading into and out of the Metropolis, out of which three major roads were selected (Fig. 1). Kumasi-Accra (Arterial road I), Kumasi-Offinso (Arterial II) and Kumasi-Mampong roads (Arterial III) were selected for sampling because these major roads experience extreme congestion using average vehicle speed as a parameter (Anin et al. 2013). These major arterial roads: Accra, Offinso and Mampong roads representing extreme, heavy and severe traffic congestion traffic flows respectively were considered as experimental arterial road sites, while Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Campus with normal traffic flow was selected as a control site.

Map of the Kumasi Metropolis with road networks

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Air quality analysis

The diurnal analysis of CO, NO₂, SO₂ and VOC was monitored at the sampling sites using Aeroqual Series 500 (S500) gas monitors (Aeroqual Limited, Auckland, New Zealand). The ambient air quality at each site was monitored for 6 days in 1 week at each site. The quality rates of CO, SO₂, NO₂ and VOCs at the study sites were calculated using the equation adopted by Chattopadhyay et al. (2010):

Where Q = quality ratings, V = observed value and Vs = permissible threshold value. The air quality rates of the four air pollutants (CO, SO₂, NO₂ and VOC) were used to calculate air quality index by determining their geometric mean. The geometric mean (g) (anti log {(Q_CO+ Q_SO2 + Q_NO2 + Q_VOC)/4}) of their quality rating were computed and taken as the AQI.

Tree species and collection of samples

Four tree species—Terminalia catappa, Mangifera indica, Ficus platyphylla and Polyalthia longifolia—were commonly identified along key arterial roads in the Kumasi Metropolis namely Accra Road (Arterial I), Offinso Road (Arterial II) and Mampong Road (Arterial III), as well as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology campus road, which served as the control site. Leaf samples were collected fortnightly from these trees in the months of August–November, 2015 before the onset of the harmattan season in December when trees shed their leaves. Three replicates of each tree species with diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 10 cm and height between 5 and 10 m were sampled at a distance of 10 m away from the edge of the road. The distances between each tree species replicate ranged from 2 to 4.8 km along each road.

Twenty to 25 physiologically active leaves, third from the tip of the apical bud, were harvested from the side of the tree facing the road between 07:00 and 09:00 h for morpho-physiological and biochemical properties determination. Samples for biochemical analysis were stored at − 40 °C until used, while samples for morpho-physiological characteristics were processed immediately.

Determination of physiological and biochemical parameters

The total relative leaf water content was determined according to the method described by Liu and Ding (2008). The estimation of leaf-extract pH was determined according to the method described by Singh and Rao (1983), while the technique of Keller and Schwager (1977) was adopted for the determining ascorbic acid.

Chlorophyll and carotenoid were analysed using standard spectrophotometric procedure (Arnon 1949; Wellburn 1994; Joshi and Swami 2009). Leaf samples (3 g) were weighed and homogenised in 10 ml of 80% acetone solution for 15 min. The homogenate was centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 3 min. Pigment absorbance values in supernatant were measured against a blank using CECIL 8000 UV-visible spectrophotometer at wavelengths 645 nm, 663 nm and 480 nm. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were determined as follows:

• Chlorophyll a = 12.7 (A₆₆₃) − 2.69 (A₆₄₅) × V/1000 × W mg/g

• Chlorophyll b = 22.9 (A₆₄₅) − 4.68 (A₆₆₃) × V/1000 × W mg/g

• Total chlorophyll = 20.2 (A₆₄₅) − 8.02 (A₆₆₃) × V/1000 × W

• Carotenoids = A₄₈₀ + 11.4 (A₆₆₃) − 6.38 (A₆₄₅ nm) × V/1000 × W

Where A = absorbance of the extract, V = total volume of the chlorophyll solution (ml) and W = weight of the tissue extract (g).

Evaluation of tolerance and sensitivity of tree species to vehicular emissions

Leaf extract pH, relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid were used to determine (Thawale et al. 2011) tolerance and sensitivity of the tree species to vehicular emissions. They were taken as numerical expression to get an observed value indicating Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) as proposed by Singh and Rao (1983).

APTI is given as: APTI = [AA (T + P) + R]/10; where AA = ascorbic acid, P = pH, T = total chlorophyll content, R = relative water content.

APTI values of tree species obtained were grouped into distinct tolerance levels according to two categorisation methods. The first categorisation approach followed the works of Thakar and Mishra (2010), by comparing the APTI value of each tree species with the mean APTI value of all the studied tree species alongside with its standard deviation (SD), thus the following classification:

1. a)

   Tree species APTI higher than mean APTI + SD = Tolerant

2. b)

   Tree species APTI value between mean APTI and mean APTI + SD = Moderately tolerant

3. c)

   Tree species APTI value between mean APTI-SD and mean APTI = Intermediate

4. d)

   Tree species APTI lower than the mean APTI = Sensitive

In the second approach, APTI values of tree species obtained were categorised according to Padmavathi et al. (2013) classification:

1. a)

   APTI value above 17 = Tolerant

2. b)

   APTI between 12 and 16 = Intermediate

3. c)

   Less than 12 = Sensitive

Anticipated Performance Index of studied tree species

On account of APTI value and some important biological and socio-economic characters, the Anticipated Performance Index (API) was determined for each tree species. A grading point was assigned to each tree species based on the method of Tiwari et al. (1993) with modification (Table 1). On the basis of the grading system, a tree can obtain a maximum point of 16 which can be expressed in percentages. The percentage obtained is then used to determine the API score category of the plant species in it use for urban greenery (Table 2).

Data analysis

One-way analysis of varaiance (ANOVA) was conducted to test for differences in plant morphological and biochemical features among the different roads; each time ANOVA revealed significant difference (p < 0.05), a multiple comparison of the means using Turkey HSD test was performed. Regression analysis was carried out between independent variables namely chlorophyll, pH, RWC, ascorbic acid and dependent variable such as APTI.

Air quality analysis in the sampled sites

The minimum, maximum and mean daylight concentrations of CO, SO₂, NO₂ and VOC measured at the major arterials roads and the control site in the Kumasi Metropolis are presented in Table 3. The concentrations of the various ambient air pollutants were greater at the arterial roads compared to quite minimal levels recorded at the control site; the difference in mean values among the arterial roads and control sites was statistically significant for CO and SO₂ (p < 0.05), but not significant for NO₂ and VOC (Table 3).

Effect of vehicular air pollution on relative water content

Relative water content of leaf samples of all the four tree species at the arterial road sites were higher but not significantly different from those at the control site (p = 0.41) (Table 4). Relative water content of leaf samples at the arterial road sites ranged between 68.38 and 93.86%, whilst those at the control site were ranging from 64.42 to 79.94%. Terminalia catappa, Mangifera indica, Ficus platyphylla and Polyalthia longifolia had higher relative water content at the arterial road sites than at the control site.

Leaf extract pH

Leaf extract pH of leaf samples of all the four tree species at the arterial road sites were lower than and significantly different from those at the control site (p = 0.000). Leaf extract pH of leaf samples at the arterial road sites were more acidic ranging from 5.08 to 5.9 whilst those at the control site were slightly acidic ranging from 6.15 to 6.75 (Table 5).

Ascorbic acid

The ascorbic acid content of all the four tree species at the arterial road sites were higher and significantly different than those of the control site (p = 0.000). The mean concentration of ascorbic acid ranged from 12.09 mg/g in Polyalthia longifolia at Arterial road II to 19.81 mg/g in Terminalia catappa at the Arterial road I, while at the control site, ascorbic acid content range from 10.91 mg/gin Polyalthia longifolia to 14.38 mg/g in Mangifera indica (Table 6).

Total chlorophyll

The total chlorophyll content of all the four tree species at the arterial road sites were lower and significantly different than those of the control site (p = 0.000). The mean concentration of total chlorophyll ranged from 0.53 mg/g in Terminalia catappa at Arterial road I to 1.13 mg/g in Mangifera indica at the Arterial road III, while at the control site, total chlorophyll content range from 1.21 mg/g in Terminalia catappa to 1.53 mg/g in Mangifera indica (Table 7).

Carotenoid

The carotenoid content of leaf samples of all the four tree species at the arterial road sites were lower than and significantly differed from those at the control site except for Polyalthia longifolia (p < 0.05). The mean concentration of carotenoid ranged from 0.11 mg/g in Terminalia catappa collected from Arterial road III and to 0.17 mg/g in Polyalthia longifolia collected from Arterial road I. Whilst at the control site, carotenoid content ranged from 0.17 mg/g in Mangifera indica to 0.19 mg/g in Terminalia catappa and Ficus platyphylla (Table 8).

Relationship between the ambient air quality and biochemical properties of the selected tree species

The relationship between ambient air quality and biochemical properties of Terminalia catappa, Mangifera indica, Ficus platyphylla and Polyalthia longifolia was investigated using the multiple regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis resulted in a significant relationship between the determined air pollutants (CO, SO₂, NO₂ and VOC) as independent or predictive variables and the biochemical parameters (relative water content, leaf extract pH, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll and carotenoid) as dependent variables. The result is presented using the Pareto chart of t values for the regression coefficients (Fig. 2). SO₂ pollution was significant as a predictive variable for total chlorophyll and pH; total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid in Mangifera indica, Ficus platyphylla and Polyalthia longifolia respectively (Fig. 2b–d). CO pollution related significantly with ascorbic acid content in M. indica (Fig. 2b), whilst NO₂ pollution was significant as a predictive variable for pH and total chlorophyll content in Ficus platyphylla (Fig. 2c).

a Pareto chart of t values between ambient air quality and biochemical parameters of Terminalia catappa. b Pareto chart of t values between ambient air quality and biochemical parameters of Mangifera indica. c Pareto chart of t values between ambient air quality and biochemical parameters of Ficus platyphylla. d Pareto chart of t values between ambient air quality and biochemical parameters of Polyalthia longifolia

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Air Pollution Tolerance Index for selected tree species

In calculating Air Pollution Tolerance Index, the ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, pH of leaf extract and relative water content were used in the assessment of level of tolerance to vehicular pollution (Table 9). The mean Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) value of all the four tree species from the four study sites ranged from 15.69 to 20.52 with an overall mean APTI value of 18.37 and standard deviation of 1.33. The total mean APTI value of each tree species are as follows: Terminalia catappa (19.76); Ficus platyphylla (19.16); Mangifera indica (18.78) and Polyalthia longifolia (17.60).

The Pearson correlation values presented in Table 10 shows the association of the four biochemical parameters with the dependent parameter APTI.

Assessment of Anticipated Performance Index of the selected tree species

The gradation of the four studied tree species based on air pollution tolerance, morphological parameters and socio-economic importance is presented in Table 11. The tree species that suited into the grading model as regards to their Anticipated Performance Index (API) were proposed for green belt improvement. Utilising the Anticipated Performance Index score class given in Table 2. Scores of the various studied tree species disclosed that Mangifera indica and Ficus platyphylla were assessed to be very good performers. Terminalia catappa was evaluated to be a good performer, while Polyalthia longifolia was identified as a poor performer.

Air quality in selected sampling sites

A higher concentration of CO, SO₂, NO₂ and VOC values were recorded at the arterial road sites in comparison to the control. It has been reported by Saxena et al. (2012) that in the urban areas, traffic flow is among the foremost emission sources. Thus, the three arterial roads could had higher pollutant vehicular air pollutant levels than the control site.

In this study, Terminalia catappa, Mangifera indica, Ficus platyphylla and Polyalthia longifolia had higher relative water content at the experimental sites than at the control site. Similar result was obtained by Jyothi and Jaya (2010). Thus, the higher relative water content at the arterial road sites might be responsible for normal functioning of biological processes in these tree plants. Under the condition of stress, high relative water content inside a plant’s organs will keep up its physiological equilibrium.

pH signals the occurrence of detoxication process in plant necessary for tolerance (Thawale et al. 2011). Terminalia catappa, Mangifera indica, Ficus platyphylla and Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract pH in this study were found to be acidic in nature at the arterial road sites. Similar observation was reported in Gladiolus gandavensis (Swami et al. 2004). Low pH values is an indication of sensitivity of the plant species to air pollutants, while high pH could provide tolerance to pollutants (Govindaraju et al. 2012; Saxena et al. 2012). Plants exposed to air pollutants (specifically, SO₂) generate substantial H⁺ to react with SO₂, which enters through the stomata, resulting H₂SO₄ and lowering of leaf pH (Zhen 2000). It has been reported that higher leaf extract pH values leads to higher plants absorption of SO₂ and NOx (Zou 2007). In study, lower pH values were recorded at the arterial roads, where SO₂ values were higher; this characteristics suggest that leaf extract pH could be used as an indicator for vehicular air pollution.

Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant commonly found in growth plants parts that depicts its resistance to air pollution (Pathak et al. 2011). In this investigation, ascorbic acid in the leaves of the studied plants were higher at the arterial road sites with respect to the control site in Terminalia catappa, Mangifera indica, Ficus platyphylla and Polyalthia longifolia. This is in agreement with the reports of Nwadinigwe (2014) and Rai et al. (2013). However Rai and Panda (2014) reported higher ascorbic acid at the control site and reduced ascorbic acid at the experimental sites. The increased in ascorbic level reported in these tree species suggests their tolerance to the pollutants especially automobile exhausts and a defence mechanism of the respective plants. Previous studies have shown that ascorbic acid reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration in leaves, thus higher ascorbic acid content of a plant is a sign of its tolerance against SO₂ pollution (Jyothi and Jaya 2010; Varshney and Varshney 1984).

It was observed in this study that photosynthetic pigments in the tree species leaves were lowered with higher concentration of vehicular air pollutants in the arterial roads lends credence to Tripathi and Gautam’s (2007) assertion that chloroplast is the first site of attack by vehicular air pollutants which consist of SPM, SO₂ and NO_X. This is in agreement with earlier studies (Wei et al. 2014). Air pollutants gain entry into the tissues across the stomata and partially denaturises the chlorophyll, thus a decrease pigment content in the polluted leaves cells (Pant and Tripathi 2012).

The reduction in chlorophyll has been credited to the interruption of the chloroplast layer because of SO₂ phytotoxic nature (Winner et al. 1985) bringing about leaching of pigment (Rath et al. 1994). The promotion of secondary processes which breakdown chlorophyll and kills the cells is believed to be associated with SO₂. Acidic polllutants like SO₂ brings about phaeophytin formation by acidification of chlorophyll brings about reduction of leaf chlorophyll (Jyothi and Jaya 2010). Similar reduction in the photosynthetic pigment were observed in other studies (Mandal and Mukherji 2000; Wagh et al. 2006; Joshi and Swami 2009; Chauhan 2010). The study on cyto-architectonics’ destruction of Cucurbita moschata under SO₂ and NO₂ stress showed a damaged chloroplast and mesophyll cells caused by air pollution (Ding and Lei 1987).

In this study, carotenoids content of the tree leaves species sampled at the arterial road sites were lower in comparison to the control site. Chauhan (2010) reported that carotenoids are sensitive to SO₂. Since SO₂ is a by-product of vehicular air pollution, it is suggested that this pollutant could have caused the reduction of carotenoid content of the leaves of the studied species at the road sites. Several researchers had reported that carotenoid content reduced under air pollution (Sharma and Tripathi 2009; Tripathi and Gautam 2007; Verma and Singh 2006). The decrease in carotenoid contents of the tree species leaves at the arterial road sites agrees with Joshi and Swami (2009) that vehicular emission or vehicle-induced air pollution reduced photosynthetic pigments in tree leaves exposed to roadside pollution.

It was observed that the independent variable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in all the tree species did not relate significantly to the dependent biochemical variables, which suggested that the dependent variable (VOC) may not be used to predict changes in the biochemical variables. It was not surprising from the result that not all the four biochemical variables (pH, relative water content, ascorbic acid and total chlorophyll) used in the computation of Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) were significantly related to a single air pollutant. This reveals that APTI gives a general idea of pollution tolerance of plant rather than indicating its specific tolerance to air pollution and as such does not differentiate between various air pollutants.

In the present study, all the four tree species had mean APTI value of more than 17. Therefore, it is considered as tolerant to vehicular air pollution. Plants with higher APTI qualities were more tolerant to air pollution than those with low APTI values; those with low APTI qualities are sensitive plants and may go about as bio-pointers of air contamination (Shannigrahi et al. 2004; Chandawat et al. 2011). Hence, on the premise of their indices, different plants might be classified into tolerant, moderately tolerant, intermediate and sensitive plants (Chandawat et al. 2011).

Thakar and Mishra’s (2010) approach is effective in the identification of comparatively tolerant species by comparing the tolerance grades between the plant species under the same environment irrespective of how tolerant the investigated species is. Whilst, Padmavathi et al.’s (2013) approach is useful in the selection of the true tolerant plant species using three absolute APTI Index values in spite of the environmental conditions (Zhang et al. 2016). The combination of the tolerance results of the tree species based on the two approaches give a better tolerance evaluation. Tree species classified as tolerant based on Padmavathi approach could be used for urban greenery. But if classified as sensitive or intermediate based on Padmavathi approach, a reassessment as opposed to Thakar and Mishra method should be carried out. For instance, Polyalthia longifolia was classified as intermediately tolerant in Arterial road II and control site using Padmavathi’s approach; on re-categorisation, this tree species were sensitive to the vehicular air pollution. Hence, its consideration for usage in urban greening should be the least priority. However, other tree species in the arterial road sites were moderately tolerant and/or tolerant based on the two approaches, thus they are highly recommended for urban greening. The consideration of these tree species for urban greenery stems from the fact that they are tolerant and moderately tolerant at least two or three of the studied sites. Zhang et al. (2016) opined that plant species with tolerant and moderately tolerant grades may be applied in green belt planning for urban and suburb areas. It was also observed that tree species had different tolerant grades at different study sites with different classification. This could be as a result of differentials in air pollution and other environmental factors that may have influenced the four parameters in the APTI formula.

The association of the four biochemical parameters amongst them and with the dependent parameter APTI was illustrated in this study which suggests that total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid are the determinants on which the tolerance of the tree species depends on in Arterial road I. It also suggested that relative water content and total chlorophyll are the determinant of tolerance in the studied tree species in Arterial road II, whilst relative water content and ascorbic acid are the determinants of tolerance in the studied tree species in Arterial road III. At the control site, it was indicated that total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid are the most significant determining factors on which tolerance of tree species is dependent on.

qqqqqEnvironmentalists have consistently advocated for urban greenery in urban areas and roadsides as well. Green belts naturally cleanse the atmosphere by absorption, diffusion of gaseous and particulate pollutant through their leaves that function as efficient pollutant trapping device (Thambavani and Prathipa 2012). Anticipated Performance Index is an evaluating framework where a tree species is graded in view of air pollution tolerance index, morphological characteristics and alongside socio-economic parameters. In the evaluating framework, a tree gets a greatest score of 16 points, which are scaled to rates and in the light of the score got; the class is determined. From this study, Mangifera indica and Ficus platyphylla were considered under very good category are highly recommended for planting as urban tree for auto exhaust mitigation. These tree species possess dense canopy of evergreen leaves as well as economic values. It has been reported also that Mangifera indica is fast growth tree and stores high amount of carbon in its tissues, thus its high priority rating (Miria and Khan 2013). Terminalia catappa was judged to be a good performer. Polyalthia longifolia was found to be unsuitable as a pollution sink because of its low anticipated performance.

In the present study, all the four tree species had mean APTI value of more than 17; hence, which are tolerant to vehicular pollution. The tolerant response to vehicular pollution in the study area was as follows: Terminalia catappa > Ficus platyphylla > Mangifera indica and Polyalthia longifolia. These trees were classified as intermediately tolerant in Arterial road II and control site using Padmavathi’s approach; on re-categorisation, this tree species were sensitive to the vehicular air pollution. Hence, its consideration for usage in urban greening should be the least priority. However, other tree species in the arterial road sites were moderately tolerant and/or tolerant based on the two approaches, thus they are highly recommended for urban greening. Anticipated Performance Index revealed that M. indica and Ficus platyphylla were very good performers. Whilst Terminalia catappa was good performer and such could be planted along the roadsides for mitigation of auto exhaust pollution. Polyalthia longifolia was rated poorly and unsuitable as a pollution sink. The APTI/API was important for better air quality management and for the selection of suitable tree species for roadsides. This could be a strategy for reduction of air pollution in the Metropolis. It cannot be claimed that green belt plantation along the roads brings about total removal of air pollutants; however, it might potentially remove the toxic pollutants in substantial amounts.

AA:

Ascorbic acid

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

API:

Anticipated Performance Index

APTI:

Air pollution Tolerance Index

CO:

Carbon monoxide

HC:

Hydrocarbons

NOX:

Nitrogen oxides

P:

pH

PAH:

Poly aromatic hydrocarbons

RWC:

Relative water content

SD:

Standard deviation

SO2:

Sulphur dioxide

T:

Total chlorophyll

VOC:

Volatile organic compounds

Ufere N.Uka was grateful to Ebonyi State University for granting him Postgraduate Scholarship award sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Abuja-Nigeria.

Funding

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Abuja-Nigeria was responsible for my fees payment and upkeep.

Availability of data and materials

All the data obtained during the study are presented in this manuscript. Any further enquiries for additional information are available upon request from the corresponding author.

Affiliations

1. Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B 048, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

   • Ufere N. Uka

2. Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

   • Ufere N. Uka
   • , Ebenezer J. D. Belford
   •  & Jonathan N. Hogarh

Contributions

All authors share in every step of this work and all the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ufere N. Uka.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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