Predicting Pollutant Removal with Abundance of Plants in the Interest of Health: An Evidence Based Study

Pollutants are important determinants of respiratory morbidity. This study endeavours to explore the roleof vegetation in air quality improvement. The 24 hour average of prevailed ambient levels of air pollutants,(PM2.5), (NO2) and (NO) at four sites of Delhi were recorded. The abundance, frequency and density ofvegetation was assessed using belt transect method. Software i- Tree Canopy was used to assess the amountof pollution removal and carbon sequestration potential by vegetation. Results indicate that Pusa hadhighest abundance (6.7), frequency (86%) and density (6.2) of vegetation as compared to Dwarka, Rohiniand ITO sites. ITO had minimum abundance (2.0), frequency (50%) and density (1.9) of vegetation. Thecorrelation between the abundance, frequency and density of vegetation and ambient levels of air pollutantswas negative. The i-tree software indicates that the potential of vegetation in removing the load of airpollutants was significant. The quantity NO2 and PM2.5 removed by vegetation of Pusa, Dwarka, Rohiniand ITO sites were 331.2g and 128.5g; 117.7g and 46.4g; 67.6g and 26.6g and 37.6g and 15g respectively.The carbon sequestration potential was maximum (520Kg in year) and minimum (60.2Kg in year) at Pusaand ITO respectively. Regression equations were accordingly computed, which could predict the potentialpollution removal with vegetation. Objective evidence based estimation of potential reduction of pollutantswith planting trees, has important implications on public health.