Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets suspended in air. Particles vary in terms of origin, chemical composition and size. Particles with diameter of 10 µm and smaller carry an increased risk for human health as they can penetrate deeper into the lungs, even to the alveolar regions. Trees can remove particles from the atmosphere, therefore improving air quality. The goal of this project was to compare the removal capacity of three species of trees commonly grown in St George, Utah: Pyrus Calleryana Bradford, Prunus x Cistena, and Chilopsis Linearis. Gravimetric analyses were used to quantify PM accumulated on the leaf surface as well as trapped in the waxes. These particulates were analyzed at two particle sizes: less than 10 µm and between 10 and 100 µm. The leaves were analyzed for their wax composition by Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and the composition of PM was analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. The differences in the distribution of particle size fractions between species, leaf surfaces and in waxes was analyzed and correlated to the chemistry of the leaves.

Accumulation of particulate matter on local leaf samples

2019 Fall National Meeting

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