CAMPUS REPORT: Semester 5 students of Climate Change from the Zoology and Geography departments conducted a field survey to examine the visible effects of air pollution on plants.
The activity was organised under the Environmental Science Club and focused on how common air pollutants, including ozone (O₃), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), can affect plant health.
During the survey, students visually examined plant leaves and stems across the college grounds and documented visible signs of pollution damage using notebooks and mobile phone cameras.
The students recorded symptoms including chlorosis, necrosis, bleaching, mottling, silvering, tip burn and leaf drying in sensitive plant species such as Canna, Ficus and Vinca.
The survey also found visible differences based on location. Plants growing near roadsides and boundary walls showed greater signs of damage than plants located deeper inside the garden. In comparison, more pollution-tolerant species such as Agave remained relatively healthy.
Based on their field observations, students identified ozone as showing the strongest visible impact, followed by sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The findings were based on visual field observations rather than laboratory measurements.
The activity demonstrated how plants can serve as bio-indicators of air pollution, providing visible clues about environmental conditions.
The field survey also gave students practical experience in connecting classroom learning with real-world environmental issues, highlighting the close relationship between air quality, plant health and urban ecosystems.
