Pollution affects plants too, and the effects vary depending on the source. Different kinds of pollution, including light, soil, land, water, and air, can cause harm to plants.
Plant pollution happens when plants absorb or get in contact with substances and pollutants that do not naturally occur in the surroundings. The problem affects plans in the following ways:
- It damages their stomata or the tiny pores on the leaves. Due to pollution, the stomata’s size gets smaller leading to the difficulty of air entering the plants. As a result, the plant finds it difficult to perform photosynthesis, making them weak and eventually wither and die.
- Pollution causes damage to the plants’ roots. For example, acid rain and soil pollution make the soil acidic. As a result, it makes the roots weak and prevents the plants from thriving.
- Pollution stresses plants and makes it difficult for them to flower and bloom. When they are surrounded by pollution, the plants tend to fight the emissions to survive the threat, leading to a delay in flowering.
- Pollutants found on the ground damage the plants’ leaves. They lead to the lack of chlorophyll in plants, so they can’t process their own energy or food. When this happens, you will notice an abnormal development of yellow color on the leaves, which means that the plant has acquired chlorosis. Too much exposure to the pollutants will lead to the plants’ death.
Plants are essential in helping people fight against air pollution. Plants release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, and also boost the air’s humidity. You must start caring for these plants so they can continue doing their share in making air quality better.