Does Air Pollution Damage Plants & Trees?

Air pollution, such as smog, has negative consequences for human health. Plants and trees can also be damaged by air pollution if they are exposed to more than normal amounts.

Causes

• The largest contributor to air pollution is the exhaust produced by automobiles. Other large producers of air pollution are residential, commercial and industrial coal-burning power plants. The main pollutant is carbon dioxide.

Acid Rain

• Acid rain is a destructive result of excessive air pollution. Acid rain can seriously damage plants and trees. When acid rain falls, it penetrates the soil and deprives it of the essential nutrients plants and trees need to survive.

Ozone Holes

• Excessively high concentrations of carbon dioxide can produce holes in the ozone layer. These holes will allow too much of the sun's ultra-violet radiation to pass through. This can hurt plants and trees by disrupting photosynthesis.

Ozone

• The molecule ozone is a ground-level pollutant. High levels of ozone prevent plants from taking part in their proper respiration cycle because it blocks the stomata, or tiny openings in the leaves.

Considerations

• Air pollution breaks down the waxy coating that is present on leaves and needles. Without this waxy coating, plants and trees cannot fight against water loss, disease and pests.