Biochemical and Physiochemical Assessment of Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Selected Plant Species at Ikpoba Okha Gas Flaring Site, Edo State, Nigeria
Loading...
Date
2021-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pollution
Abstract
The Air Pollution Tolerance index (APTI) of six plants located within Ikpoba Okha gas flaring site in
Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria during wet and dry seasons were assessed. Plant
samples for this research work were randomly collected from the vicinity of the flaring site. Six (6)
sample of each plant was used for laboratory analysis. The plant parameters assessed include relative
water content (RWC), the ascorbic acid content (AAC), total leaf chlorophyll (TLC) and pH extract of
the leaves and were used to compute the Air pollution tolerance indices (APTI). Based on the analyzed
result, the RWC in Drypetes leonensis, Ficus exasperata Vahl, Chromolaena odorata (Linn) and
Gmelina arborea Roxb. ex Smith species in dry season were higher than those in wet season. Icacina
tricantha showed a relatively high level of acidity when compared to others. A. boonei De Wild has
the highest ascorbic acid content in the leaves in both seasons. The highest level of chlorophyll
contents was recorded in the dry season with Drypetes leonensis having the highest, followed by
Icacina trichantha. There was no statistically significant difference in pH and total chlorophyll
contents between samples collected in wet and dry season; however, there were significant difference
observed in ascorbic acid and RWC in both seasons. APTI in wet and dry season showed a statistically
significant difference. This study recommends planting of tolerant species that can acts as bioindicators
especially in gas flaring stations in Nigeria
Description
Staff Publication
Keywords
Chlorophyll - ascorbic acid-pH-tolerance- bio-indicators