Dear Label_Name,

Greetings! I hope you are well.

I am writing on behalf of an international publishing house, Science and Education Publishing, USA (http://www.sciepub.com).

Science and Education Publishing (SciEP) is a multidisciplinary open access publisher of Journals covering the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine. All SciEP publications are subject to high-quality peer review, editorial and production processes and are freely available online.

Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
American Journal of Public Health Research
American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
American Journal of Zoological Research
Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Biomedical Science and Engineering

We are pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for peer review for all the journals across all our subject areas in SciEP.

Please submit your manuscript via our online submission system:
http://www.sciepub.com/author/signin

To unsubscribe from our mailing list, please click on the following link: unsubscribe

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

David Rain
Email:join@sciepub.com
Science and Education Publishing (http://www.sciepub.com)

Effect of Granite Quarry Mining on Chlorophyll Content of Tropical Plants

Dipu Sukumaran*, Sisira P

Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kozhikode, Kerala, India

Abstract: The research was conducted in the granite mining sites of Kerala to determine the effect of mining on the health of two tropical plants namely Macarangapeltata and Chromolaenaodorata which were common to the area. The area having high amount of particulate matter in the working hours of the quarry. The plants were severely affected by the mining activities. In this study, it was observed that the quarry dust was affecting the Chromolaenaodorata, as it is having chlorophyll lower than the control sites.Chromolaenaodorata present in the quarry sites having retarded growth compared to control site plants. In the case of Macarangapeltata, samples showed higher concentration of chlorophyll than control to cope up with the stress.

Keywords: granite quarry, chlorophyll, particulate matter, air pollution

Received May 19, 2020; Revised June 22, 2020; Accepted June 29, 2020

Citation: Dipu Sukumaran, Sisira P, Effect of Granite Quarry Mining on Chlorophyll Content of Tropical Plants. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 8 (2). 53-57. January 2020. doi:10.12691/env-8-2-4

1. Introduction

The quarrying activities like every mining operation, is a destructive development activity. The socioeconomic benefits of quarrying are unable to compensate for the overall detrimental effects on natural ecosystems [1]. The opencast mining is more preferable for the most of the quarrying activities to its applicability in all operable areas of exposed rock. This method is suitable for attaining minimum production loss and high production rate, especially in the case of limestone, granite, and iron like ores that are exposed at the surface.

The main air quality issue with quarrying is dust particles [2]. The severity of air pollution will depends on the various kind of factors like dust particles in the ambient air, the chemistry between dust particles, size of the particles etc. The pollutants released from quarrying activities are largely particulates in nature [3]. Solid materials in the form of smoke, dust, and also vapor generated during the quarrying activities are usually suspended over a long period of time in the air. There are different toxic compounds like fluoride, magnesium, lead, zinc, copper, released from these processes and they are injurious to health.

Dust from quarry sites are effect the vegetation, crop yield and this become a threat to survival of plants within that particular area. Dust can also have several physical effects on the surrounding plants such as blocking and damaging the internal structures, abrasion of leaves and cuticles etc [4]. There are many dust particles are released to the environment through drilling like activities. They are considered as one of the major hazardous substance to our respiratory system. Hence those who are working in quarry industry and closely living community people will be affected by the dust particles. , consequently suffers from acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma and even tuberculosis [5]. Overexposure to dust that contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs.

If the dust released from quarrying activities is uncontrollable, there is chances of spreading the dust particles to the surroundings, especially during dry weather, leach into the soil during storms, and create harmful conditions for the flora and fauna. It can also have physical effects on the plants such as blocking and damaging their internal structures and abrasion on leaves and cuticles [4]. Plants are very sensitive, due to the deposition of these particles plants shows symptoms like chlorosis, necrosis and growth retardation [6]. The dust related problems can be mitigated in the quarry sites by preparing a dust control plant [7].

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Area

The study areas are different quarry sites in Kozhikode and in Malappuram. Four quarries were selected from Malappuram of which two are working and two are abandoned. The Quarry selected from `Kozhikode is working.

Figure 1. Location of Quarry sites in Malappuram and Kozhikode

The first study area (QS/01) was located on Thiruvali Panchayath, Malapuuram district. It is lies geographically between coordinates 11°12’55.7”N and 76°10’23.3” E. The working of this quarry was stopped recently 3 years. Second quarry area was located in Edachola, Malappuram district. The area was lies geographically between coordinates 11°12’25.5” N and 76°09’56.5” E. Third quarry was situated on Ainthur, Malappuram district. Its geographical coordinates are 11°11’ 28.4” N, 76°09’11.0” E. Fourth quarry located on geographically between coordinates N11°13’56.2” N, 76°08’29.0” E. The fifth quarry was located on Thottumukkam, Kozhikkode District. The area was lies within latitude N11°17’15.3” N and 76°03’52.4 E longitude. The study period was December 2018 to April 2019.

2.2. Sample Collection and Preservation

The present study was conducted on different quarry sites. Two abandoned stone quarry, two working stone quarry, and one granite quarry are selected for this study. Plant leaf samples larger were cut from the plant and immediately placed in aluminum foil. The sample is then labelled, placed in a re-sealable plastic bag, and frozen in a cooler. Samples were kept in a darkened environment to prevent Chlorophyll degradation. Appropriate sample documentation was made in. Darkness must be maintained during the storage period and analyses must be carried out in subdued light to avoid Chlorophyll degradation. Also, to avoid degradation, analytical procedures were performed with opaque containers or containers covered with aluminum foil. Analysis was done with standard procedures [8].

The quarrying activities like crushing of stones, transportation release huge quantities of dust to environment. Foliar surface of plants is continuously exposed to the surrounding atmosphere and is therefore the main receptor of dust. The dust particulates in the cell sap are responsible for Chlorophyll degradation and reduced photosynthetic activity. To determine the effect of dust pollution on plants, two common plant species; Macarangapeltata and Chromolaenaodorata were selected from the working quarries. These quarries are located at Thottumukkam, Kolappad, and Ainthur and the sample codes are QS/02, QS/03, QS/04 respectively. Then the variation in Chlorophyll concentration was analyzed.

3. Results and Discussion

The dust deposition in leaves of the plant changed Chlorophyll content. The plants were collected from polluted and non-polluted sites in the quarry stations. These plants show a greater variation in Chlorophyll content. In station QS/02 the Chlorophyll concentration of Chl a in the leaves of Chromolaenaodorata at polluted sites was recorded as 0.71mg/g FW, which was 1.41mg/g FW in control site. The concentration of Chlorophyll b was 0.33mg/g FW in the samples collected from polluted sites, while it was 1.10mg/g FW in control sites. Similarly the plant samples in the QS/03 and QS/04 stations shows a greater variation in Chlorophyll content when compare to control.

Table 1. Chlorophyll concentration analysis in Chromolaenaodorata

Figure 2. Chlorophyll concentration of Chromolaenaodorata in quarry sites

Figure 3. Chlorophyll concentration of Chromolaenaodorata in control sites

Macarangapeltata is a small tree; it is one of the most widely occurring early successional woody species. The Chlorophyll contents were analyzed in this species to determine the effect of dust in their photosynthetic pigments. In station QS/02, the concentration of Chl a in the leaves of Macarangapeltata was 1.60 mg/g FW and Chlorophyll b was 0.84 mg/g. In control site, the Chlorophyll a and b was recorded as1.16 mg/g FW and 0.71 mg/g FW respectively.

Table 2. Chlorophyll concentration analysis in Macarangapeltata

Figure 4. Chlorophyll concentration of Macarangapeltatain quarry sites

Figure 5. Chlorophyll concentration of Macarangapeltatain control sites

The sample from QS/03 station showed 1.64 mg/g FW of Chla and 1.07 mg/g of Chl b FW, in control, 1.10 mg/g FW Chl a and 0.59 mg/g FW Chl b was recorded. In the case of QS/04 site, 1.79 mg/g FWChla and 1.46 mg/g FW Chl b was recorded. In control sites, 1.15 mg/g FW Chla and 0.88 mg/g FW Chl b was recorded. From these results it was observed that Chlorophyll concentration of samples from polluted sites were higher than control sites.

In this study, it was observed that the quarry dust was affecting the Chromolaenaodorata. The samples from three quarry sites shows variation of Chlorophyll content than control [9]. In the case of Macarangapeltata, Samples shows higher concentration of Chlorophyll than control. The changed ambient environment due to the particulate matter pollutant in urban areas has exerted a profound influence on the morphological, biochemical and physiological status of plants and its responses [10,11]. The dust deposition makes severe impacts in plants [12]. More researchis requiredon the methods to clean agricultural products, and it'll contribute to creating consumption procedures within thesituation where consumers’ demand is more for agricultural products which were grown following good agricultural practices [13]. Similar reduction has been recorded in the leaves of Pinushallepensis [10]. Damage in Chlorophyll content in R. ecklonii planted in heavy traffic road sites has also been recorded by [12]. Dusted or encrusted leaf surface is responsible foclr reduced photosynthesis and thereby causing reduction in Chlorophyll content [14].

A similar kind of Chlorophyll reduction of plants in quarry sites was explained in a study, impact of crushing and quarrying [15]. In which they take agricultural crops like Species of Oryza sativa, Capsicum frutescens as samples. All samples showed marked reduction in Chlorophyll concentration. Chlorophyll content in leaves (polluted) is relatively less than the control indicating that the quarrying activity has put the plants under stress and has affected the physiology of plants. According to researchers, plants can reduce concentration of primary particulate by directly reducing the matter by attaching it to their wax layers on the leaves [16,17] or by reducing the originators of secondary particulate matter [18]. Moreover, plant can reduce the second generation of the particulate matter among atmosphere by reducing the heat island effect of the suburban area [19].

4. Conclusion

Quarrying activity has put the plants under stress and has affected the physiology of plants. Huge amount of particulate matter is released from quarrying activities, which affect physical environment. The particulate matter deposition makes severe impacts in plants. In some of the plants collected from polluted environment, the photosynthetic pigments were reduced and the percentage of reduction was studied. The reduction in chlorophyll will lead to stunted growth of the plants. Results of this study show that there is negative impact on plants by granite quarry pollution and plant species differ in their response to stress environment. The particulate matter which contains other harmful pollutants like heavy metals may affect the growth of the plants. Further research is needed in this area.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge with gratitude the help and support Executive Director, CWRDM. This research was a part of Masters Dissertation in Environmental Sciences.

References

[1]   | Zha Y, Shi Y, Tang J, Liu X, Fen C, Zhang Y, “Spatial-temporal variability and dust-capture capability of 8 plants in urban China”, Pol J Environ Stud 28(1): 453-462, 2019.
[2]   | Ghose, MK., Majee, S.R., “Assessment of impact on air environment due to opencast coal mining- An Indian case study”,. . Vol. 34, pp. 2791-2796, 2014.
[3]   | Lameed, G.A., Ayodele, A.E., “Effect of Quarrying Activity on Biodiversity”, African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. Vol.4, pp 740-750, 2010.
[4]   | Gauch, H.G., “Multivanate Analysis in Community Ecology” (1 ed ). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 85, 2001
[5]   | Crouse DL, Philip S, Donkelaar AV, Martin RV, Jessiman B, Peters PA, Weichenthal S, Brook JR, Hubbel B, Burnett RT, “A new method to jointly estimate the mortality risk of long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and its components”. Sci Rep 6: 18916, 2016.
[6]   | Jacobson, J.S., and Hill, A.C., “Recognition of air pollution injury to vegetation. A pictorial atlas. Air Pollution” Contr. Assoc. Pittsburgh, USA, 1970.
[7]   | Kestner, M., “Developing a dust control plan”, Journal of Stone Review. Vol.5, pp. 22-23, 1994.
[8]   | USEPA, “Standard Operating Procedures” Sop: 2030 Page: 1of 6 Rev: 0.0 Date: 11/17/94 Chlorophyll Determination, 1994.
[9]   | Burkhardt J., Grantz D.A.D., “Plants and atmospheric aerosols. In Progress in Botany” Cánovas F.M., Lüttge U., Matyssek R., Eds., Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland, 78, 369, 2017.
[10]   | Rai Prabhat Kumar, “Impacts of particulate matter pollution on plants: Implications for environmental biomonitoring”, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 129: 120-136, 2016.
[11]   | Robert Popek, Adrian Łukowski1, Marcin Grabowski, “Influence of Particulate Matter Accumulation on Photosynthetic Apparatus of Physocarpus opulifolius and Sorbaria sorbifolia”, Pol. J. Environ. Stud. Vol. 27, No. 5, 2391-239, 2018.
[12]   | Kyungdeok Noh,Luc The Thi & Byoung Ryong Jeong, “Particulate matter in the cultivation area may contaminate leafy vegetables with heavy metals above safe levels in Korea”, Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 26, pp. 25762-25774, 2019.
[13]   | Zhang B, Fu Z, Huang J, Wang J, Xu S, Zhang L., “Consumers’ perceptions, purchase intention, and willingness to pay a premium price for safe vegetables: a case study of Beijing, China” J Clean Prod 197: 1498-1507, 2018.
[14]   | Seo HJ, Jeong RH, Boo JH, Song J, Boo JH., “Study on chemical removal of nitric oxide (NO) as a main cause of fine dust (air pollution) and acid rain” Appl Sci Convergence Technol 26(6): 218-222, 2017.
[15]   | Babitha Rani, H., Shadakshara swamy, N., “Impact of Crushing and Quarrying on Vegetation”, Journal of Industrial Pollution Control.Vol.17, pp. 970-984, 2002.
[16]   | Liu Y, Yang Z, Zhu M, Yin J., “Size fractions of dust and amount of associated metals on leaf surface and inner wax of 15 plant species at Beijing roadside”, Int J Phytoremediat 21(4): 334-351, 2019.
[17]   | Shao F, Wang L, Sun F, Li G, Yu L, Wang Y, Zeng X, Yan H, Dong L, Bao Z, Study on different particulate matter retention capacities of the leaf surfaces of eight common garden plants in Hangzhou, China. Sci Total Environ 652: 939-951, 2019.
[18]   | Torpy F, Clements N, Pollinger M, Dengel A, Mulvihill I, He C, Irga P., “Testing the single-pass VOC removal efficiency of an active green wall using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)” Air Qual Atmos Health 11(2): 163-170, 2018.

[19]  
Salvador P, Molero F, Fernandez AJ, Tobías A, Pandolfi M, Gómez-Moreno FJ, Barreiro M, Pérez N, Marco IM, Revuelta MA, Querol X, Artíñano B., “Synergistic effect of the occurrence of African dust outbreaks on atmospheric pollutant levels in the Madrid metropolitan area”, Atmos Res 226: 208-218, 2019.