Morphological leaf characteristics of selected trees and its adsorbent capacity at particulate matter (PM₁₀) in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Abstract

The study aimed to give information about the use of trees in helping the environment particularly to the quality of air. Leaves of selected tree species planted along the busy streets in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines were analyzed in terms of its surface area and its ability to adsorb PM₁₀. Results revealed that G. arborea Roxb. exhibits the greatest leaf surface area based from the method UTHSCA software. Further, results of the study showed that among the four plant species sampled and analyzed along the road of Brgy. Kauswagan , the leaves of G. arborea Roxb., adsorbed the highest amount of PM₁₀ while in Masterson Avenue, M. calabura Linn. showed the highest rate of adsorption capacity compared to other three species sampled and analyzed. Two- way ANOVA revealed that there are no significant differences between the two busiest streets and among the four species sampled and analyzed.

Keywords: PM₁₀, Surface leaf area, Adsorption, Air quality