Atmospheric Air Pollution Effects on Some Exhibited Plants at Aljubail Industrial City, Ksa. I- Physiological Characteristics and Antioxidant Enzymes

The present work deals with effects of ambient air O3 on cultivated and non-cultivated plants species exhibited at Aljubail Industrial City by comparing exposed plants to ambient air in two polluted localities (high and low). Three cultivated (Bougainvillea spp., Nerium oleander, Tevetia neralfoia) and three non-cultivated plants species (Moltkiopsis ciliate, Heliotropium bacciferum and Zygophyllum album) were studied.Plant samples were collected from plants growing at these localities at three time periods; mid December 2006, February 2007 and April 2007. Complete monitoring of major gaseous air pollutants (O3, SO2, NO2) during these periods was made Physiological parameters (sugars, pigments and antioxidant enzymes) for all plant samples were determined. Gradual increases in the concentration of air pollutants gases was found starting from August to May reaching high levels in August and September.O3 concentrations at these months were three to four times the normal levels. At high polluted localities Ambient O3 pollution lead to a significant decrease in total sugars, pigments and antioxidant enzymes activity in cultivated plants species. The results also showed that Bougainvillea spp. was more sensitive plant to O3 pollution compared to other cultivated plant species, while in non cultivated Moltkiopsis ciliate was more resistance than other plants. This investigation concluded that ozone pollution is responsible for the plant damage in industrial cities of KSA