Physiochemical Properties and Anticipated Performance of Selected Plant Species in Lokpaukwu Quarry Site in Abia State, Nigeria

Ogbonna C.E.¹, Nwafor F.I.² and Ugbogu E.A.^3,

¹Department of Environmental Resource Management, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria

²Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Medicines, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

³Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, PMB 2000, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Ogbonna C.E., Nwafor F.I. and Ugbogu E.A.. Physiochemical Properties and Anticipated Performance of Selected Plant Species in Lokpaukwu Quarry Site in Abia State, Nigeria. Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health. 2019; 7(1):7-14. doi: 10.12691/jephh-7-1-2

Abstract

The study assessed the physiochemical properties and anticipated performance index (API) of some plants in Lokpaukwu quarry site to determine the impact of quarrying activities on the plants as well as the most suitable plants for green belt development in the area. Three plants species; Dialium guineense, Psidium guajava and Pterocarpus soyauxii were randomly selected for the study. Fresh leaves of the species were collected for foliar epidermal studies through clearing method and biochemical parameters; air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and API studies were evaluated using standard procedures. Results of foliar analysis showed clear evidence of environmental stress at the polluted site such as stretched epidermal cells as well as plasmolysed stomata with deformed guard cells. There were variations in some stomata parameters (such as stomata density and pore size) of the plants collected from the polluted site when compared with those from unpolluted site (control). Biochemical properties had significantly higher values (p < 0.05) at the control relative to those at the polluted site except for relative water content. The variations also occurred among the plants species. The values for ascorbic acid and total chlorophyll were highest in P. soyauxii. The APTI and API followed the sequences: P. soyauxii > D. guineense > P. guajava and P. soyauxii > D. guineense = P. guajava respectively. Based on APTI and API, P. soyauxii emerged the most suitable plant for bio-mitigation of air pollution and green belt development amongst the three plants.

Keywords:
Lokpaukwu quarry site foliar parameters APTI API green belt development

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