Archives of

1. Introduction
Today, dust is considered one of the emerging phenomena of the most critical environmental problems, which has disrupted the daily life of the people of the affected territories [1]. The occurrence of dust storms usually accompanies the carrying of enormous masses of solid and suspended materials [2]. The extreme increase in the concentration of suspended particles due to this phenomenon has considerable effects on humans, plants, and animals [3,4]. Given that plants are the only living beings that always have to endure pollution due to being fixed in their habitats, the persistence of the effects of this pollution on them is more than on humans and animals [5]. The results of various studies have indicated that plants constantly exposed to environmental pollutants accumulate these particles in their systems and show observable changes depending on the level of sensitivity [6-9]. There is much evidence that when air pollutants enter plant tissues, such as leaves, they initially function through the production of reactive oxygen species (known as oxidative free radicals) [10,11]. Air pollutants impact in different ways, such as stomatal damage, premature aging, reduced photosynthetic activities, disrupted membrane permeability, and reduced growth and productivity in sensitive plant species [12,13]. Dust as a pollutant can have similar impacts on growth and its physiological and biochemical factors. Numerous factors affect the amount of dust absorption and dust deposited on the leaves of plants, including the geometric form, leaf’s cross-sectional surface, phyllotaxis, and external characteristics such as fuzzes, cuticle, petiole length, height and canopy of the plant species, as well as wind condition, direction, and speed [14]. Other factors, such as twisted surface or coarseness, cell order, and abundant cilia, also influence the ability of dust movement by various plant species and culminate in the occurrence of noticeable biological consequences [15]. Some of these consequences include the decreased rate of photosynthesis and air pollution tolerance of plant species [16]. The impact of dust deposited on tree leaves on the rate of
Investigating the Effect of Dust on the Rate of Photosynthesis and Air Pollution Tolerance Index of the Leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. in the City of Ahvaz
Zhaleh Kariminezhad1ID, Sina Attar Roshan2*ID, Sima Sabzalipour1ID, Maryam Mohammadi Rouzbahani1, Anoshirvan Shirvany3ID
1Department of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2Department of Environment, Persian Gulf Dust Research Center, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
3Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran
*Corresponding Author: Sina Attar Roshan, Email: Sina_2934@yahoo.com
Received: October 23, 2022, Accepted: June 29, 2022, ePublished: May 31, 2023
https://jhygiene.muq.ac.ir/
10.34172/AHS.12.2.1.404
Vol. 12, No. 2, 2023, 56-61
Original Article © 2022 The Author(s); This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Arch Hyg Sci. Volume 12, Number 2, 2023 57
The effect of dust on the rate of photosynthesis and air pollution tolerance index
photosynthesis and air pollution tolerance has been
evaluated in various studies. Abuduwaili et al estimated
salt deposited from dust on the leaves of silk-cotton trees
and its effect on reducing the rate of photosynthesis of
this species in northwest China to be 45% to 65% [17].
In the investigation of dust deposited on the leaves of
roadside plants in the northeastern regions of India,
Rai and Panda also observed a significant correlation
between the level of dust deposited and the reduced rate
of photosynthesis [18]. Shah et al also suggested that the
dust particles deposited on tree leaves led to creating
stress and reducing different photosynthetic pigments
and their derivatives in plants [19]. Molnár et al pointed
out that considering the direct relationship of the air
pollution tolerance index (APTI) of plants to the level
of dust deposited on plant organs, plants can be used
as an index for the level of air pollution in the medium
term time intervals [20]. Javanmard et al also mentioned
that the increased dust levels result in decreased APTI of
plants, the phenomenon of leaf shattering, and premature
death of the plant [21]. Due to being located in the world’s
arid and semi-arid belt, Iran is constantly exposed to
numerous local and synoptic dust systems [22]. Khuzestan
province, one of the southwestern provinces of Iran, has
been influenced by the dust phenomenon of domestic
and foreign origin in the past years [23]. From 2010 to
2020, 45 days of dust (the concentration of suspended
particles above 300 micrograms per cubic meter) has
been averagely recorded for the cities of Khuzestan
province, which is the highest amount of pollution in
Iran, both regarding the frequency of occurrence of the
phenomenon and the mean concentration of suspended
particles [24]. Such pollution can effectively contribute to
the components of the rate of photosynthesis and APTI
of plant species. One of the native species of Khuzestan
province, which is favorably adapted to the climate of
this region, is the Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. species
from the Rhamnaceae family [25]. The Z. spina-christi
(L.) Willd. is naturally a shrub or a thorny tree, and its
height varies from 2.5 to 15 meters. Among the features
of this family are simple leaves, often alternating, ordered
flowers, complete male or hermaphrodite, and dioecious
and monoecious polygamous [26]. This species is of great
biological value in the area of Khuzestan province. The
present study is conducted to investigate the effect of dust
deposited on the leaves of Z. spina-christi (L.) Willd. on
the APTI and photosynthesis indices.
2. Materials and Methods
This study was conducted in 2020 to assess the effect of
dust on the rate of photosynthesis and APTI of leaves of
Z. spina-christi (L.) Willd. trees in the city of Ahvaz. Based
on the objectives and to achieve the expected statistical
accuracy, 10 Z. spina-christi (L.) Willd. trees were selected
in different regions of Ahvaz metropolis by random
sampling. One leaf sample was selected from the central
part of each tree in the 4 main geographical directions
(north, south, east, west), i.e., 4 samples from each tree
species; overall, 40 leaf samples were collected in the
whole region and sent to the laboratory to investigate the
level of dust particles deposited. Sampling was performed
in four seasons. The preparation of leaf samples and the
research process to investigate the level of dust particles
deposited were performed in the research laboratory of
Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research
and Education Center. For this purpose, after transferring
the leaf samples to the laboratory, each sample was
distilled twice with 50 cc of distilled water, washed using
a soft brush, and the extracted solution was accumulated
in 100 cc falcons. The acidity of the dust solution was
measured using a pH meter device. Then, the falcons
were placed in a centrifuge device at 8000 rpm for 10
minutes so that the dust particles of the solution were
deposited entirely. Afterward, the samples were placed
in the oven for 48 hours at 70°C until the water of each
falcon evaporated entirely [27]. Finally, the deposited
dust was scraped and collected using a proper tool to be
weighed using a digital scale with an accuracy of 0.0001.
In order to investigate the rate of pure photosynthesis,
young mature leaves were sampled. In order to calculate
the total amount of chlorophyll, 0.5 g of fresh leaves were
crushed and extracted with 10 mL of distilled water. The
chlorophyll level was then measured using the Minolta
Chlorophyll meter model SPAD-502. Two physiological
parameters, such as relative water content and pH, and
two biochemical parameters of ascorbic acid and total
chlorophyll were measured in the studied samples to
measure the APTI. The relative water content was first
determined to assess the plants’ physiological parameters.
For this purpose, the fresh and dry weights of the plants’
leaf samples were determined, and the values of these
parameters were placed in equation 1.
RWC% = (Wt-Wd/Wt) × 100 Eq. 1
In this equation, Wt is the wet weight of the plant’s
fresh sample, and Wd is the dry weight of the plant’s leaf
sample placed in the oven for 24 hours at 70°C. After
determining the relative water content to measure the pH
of the leaf extracts, first, 2 g of fresh leaves were taken and
ground in 20 mL of double distilled water in a Chinese
mortar. Then they were transferred to 50 mL falcons and
centrifuged for 5 minutes at 4000 rpm.
The parameters were placed in the following equation.
Two mL of the solution was mixed with 10 mL of acetone,
and its amount was read in the spectrophotometer. The
obtained extract was passed through a filter paper and
transferred into special containers. Finally, it was read
using a calibrated digital pH meter. In order to measure
ascorbic acid in plant samples, 1 g of fresh plant leaves
Kariminezhad et al
58 Arch Hyg Sci. Volume 12, Number 2, 2023
was first ground in 20 mL of 5% metaphosphoric acid.
The obtained mixture was then centrifuged for 20
minutes at 8000 rpm at 4°C. In the following, 0.5 mL of
2,6-dichlorophenol and 3 mM phenol solution was added
to 1 mL of the filtered solution to oxidize ascorbic acid
to dehydroascorbic acid. Afterward, 1 mL of 1% thiourea
was added to the samples, and the samples were left for
20 minutes. Then 1 mL of 2,10,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine
solution was added so that 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine
derivative was formed from dehydroascorbic acid.
After fulfilling the mentioned steps, the samples were
placed in a water bath for 1 hour at a temperature of
50°C and then in an ice bath for 20 minutes. After that,
50 mL of 85% sulfuric acid was slowly added to each
sample. Also, 1 mL of 20% sulfuric acid was added to the
samples. After preparing the proper solution, a UV-VIS
spectrophotometer was used to read the ascorbic acid
at a wavelength of 520 mm. For this purpose, 1 mL of
5% metaphosphoric acid was added to 0.5 mL of DCIP
3 mM ; then 1 mL of 20% sulfuric acid was added to the
control solution and just similar to the previous steps, it
was placed in a water bath at 50°C for 1 hour and then in
an ice bath for 20 minutes. After completing all the steps,
it was tried to read the ascorbic acid in 1 hour because
the complexes formed during the experiment would
be stable in this duration of time. In order to measure
total chlorophyll as the last parameter of APTI, 0.5 g of
the plant’s fresh leaves were first ground with 10 mL of
80% acetone in a Chinese mortar. After the samples were
ground entirely, the obtained extracts were poured into
the falcon and centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 minutes. The
filtered extract content was poured in sufficient amounts
into the spectrophotometer’s specific cuvette and read at
645 and 663 nm wavelengths. The absorption rate at two
measured wavelengths was placed into equations 2, 3, and
4, and the values of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total
chlorophyll were calculated according to Equations 2, 3,
and 4, respectively [28].
Chlorophyll a = (19.3 × A663-0.86 × A645)V/100W Eq. 2
Chlorophyll b = (19.3 × A645-3.6 × A663)V/100W Eq. 3
Total chlorophyll = chlorophyll a + chlorophyll b Eq. 4
After measuring the above four parameters, the APTI
was calculated based on the following equation:
APTI = [AA(Tcl + pH) + RWS]÷10 Eq. 5
In this equation, AA shows the amount of ascorbic acid
in mg/g, pH shows the amount of the leaf’s active acidity,
RWS denotes the percentage of relative humidity, and Tcl
denotes the total chlorophyll content in mg/g.
3. Results
The results of measuring the weight of dust deposited
on the leaves of the Z. spina-christi (L.) Willd. trees
in Ahvaz indicated that the highest amount of dust
was deposited on the leaves in the geographical north
direction (0.040081 g), and the lowest amount was on
the leaves in the geographical west direction (0.02514
g). According to Figure 1, the results of Duncan’s multiresponse
mean comparison concerning the weight of
dust deposited in the crown of Z. spina-christi (L.) Willd.
showed that in municipal districts 1, 2, 3, and 4, which
are in the geographical western and northern directions,
a greater weight of dust was deposited on leaf surfaces; in
this sense, it has deposited in regions 5, 6, 7, and 8 which
are in the eastern and southern directions (Figure 1).
3.1. Photosynthesis calculation
One of the objectives of the current study is to evaluate
the effect of dust deposited on tree leaves on the rate of
photosynthesis. For this purpose, the leaf photosynthesis
rate was measured twice before and after washing with
distilled water (Figure 2). This process was administered
in 4 seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter; 2019)
and in the hours of 10 am to 3 pm (during these hours,
the photosynthesis of plants is at the maximum level).
Its purpose is also to assess the effect of temperature
conditions on the rate of photosynthesis and the dust
Figure 1. Comparing the mean values of the weight of dust deposited in 8 municipal districts (a) and the geographical directions of the crown of Ziziphus
spina-christi (L.) Willd. (b)
Arch Hyg Sci. Volume 12, Number 2, 2023 59
The effect of dust on the rate of photosynthesis and air pollution tolerance index
deposited. The results indicate that in all samples, after
the leaf washing process, the rate of photosynthesis
increases. The highest rate of photosynthesis was in the
fall (53.76), and the lowest was in the spring (35.97). The
highest percentage of changing photosynthesis after leaf
washing was related to winter (8.13%).
One of the results of the current study is that the
decreased rate of photosynthesis in the tree leaves is
affected by the dust deposited on them. The biggest
difference in the rate of photosynthesis affected by dust
occurred in the fall. The results of one-way analysis
of variance (ANOVA) of the rate of photosynthesis
between the leaves of Z. spina-christi (L.) Willd. trees
indicated no significant difference between the rates of
photosynthesis in winter and summer; however, there
were significant differences between other seasons
(P < 0.05).
3.2. APTI calculation
An essential index in investigations regarding the role of
plant species in controlling pollution is APTI calculation.
In this study, APTI was used, the value of which is shown
in Table 1. The mean values of this index in Ziziphus
spina-christi (L.) Willd. species were calculated in 8
municipal districts (Table 1). The mean APTI score of
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. is 4.77. These results
indicate that the Z. iziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. species
has an acceptable and favorable air pollution tolerance
against environmental pollutants.
According to Figure 2, the results of the linear regression
test indicated a significant relationship between APTI
values and the amount of chlorophyll (photosynthesis)
(P ≤ 0.05). The R2 index was estimated to be equal to
0.801, suggesting a strong relationship between these two
variables. According to Table 2, these results reveal that
changes in the amount of dust at the level of Ahvaz affect
the APTI and photosynthesis of the leaves of Ziziphus
spina-christi (L.) Willd. trees.
4. Discussion
As the main species, trees are applied for biological
monitoring. Thus, the development of plant species
compatible with the region and the dust absorbent are
among the most influential available and environmentfriendly
solutions; in addition, APTI is one of the suitable
criteria for selecting plants for being applied in polluted
regions [29]. The ability to absorb dust is not equal in
different species [30-32]. The results of various studies,
including Abuduwaili et al and Rai and Panda, also
confirm the reduced rate of photosynthesis affected by
the dust phenomenon [17,18]. In the current study, the
Figure 2. Changes in the mean APTI score of the leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. trees in the 8 municipal regions of Ahvaz (a) and the regression
relationship between the APTI values and the amount of chlorophyll in tree leaves (b). D, District
Table 1. The components of the air pollution tolerance index of the Ziziphus
spina-christi (L.) Willd. species
Sample pH
Relative
Water
%
Ascorbic
acid
Mg.g-1
Total
chlorophyll
Mg.g-1
APTI
District 1 5.2 41.1 1.38 0.13 4.84
District 2 6.1 37.94 1.48 0.11 4.71
District 3 6 37.91 1.46 0.12 4.68
District 4 5.7 40.53 1.41 0.16 4.87
District 5 5.6 40.72 1.4 0.17 4.88
District 6 5.1 41.3 1.37 0.14 4.84
District 7 6 37.9 1.47 0.12 4.69
District 8 5.9 37.92 1.45 0.10 4.66
Mean 5.7 39.4 1.42 0.135 4.77
APTI, Air Pollution Tolerance Index.
Table 2. The test statistic of the association between APTI and photosynthesis
in the leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. trees in the city of Ahvaz
Statistic Test result
Pearson’s correlation 0.895
R2 0.801
Intercept 0.9659
Line gradient 0.23
Significance 0.001
Kariminezhad et al
60 Arch Hyg Sci. Volume 12, Number 2, 2023
rate of photosynthesis in the leaves of Z. spina-christi
(L.) Willd. trees enhanced between 4.51 to 8.13% after
washing the dust on the leaf surfaces. The greatest change
in the photosynthesis percentage after leaf washing was
related to winter (8.13%). Given that most dust events in
Khuzestan province are related to winter, these results
were predictable. In Chaturvedi and colleagues’ study,
roadside plants’ photosynthesis rate has reduced by 25%
[33]. In Arvin and colleagues’ study, the chlorophyll level
of sugarcane species has decreased by 14% affected by
dust [34]. Tomašević and colleagues’ study revealed that
the short leaf washing with distilled water significantly
increased the amount of chlorophyll [35]. Geographical
directions are also among other components influencing
the level of dust deposited on the leaves of Z. spina-christi
(L.) Willd. trees. This index is related to the wind direction
component. Kang and colleagues’ study also confirmed
the role of wind direction in the dust deposited on tree
leaves [36]. Therefore, conducting a study to assess the
association of wind speed and direction with the level of
dust deposited in Ahvaz is recommended. The presence
of a significant relationship between chlorophyll level and
APTI was another result of the current research. Hence,
it can be concluded that with the increase in the level of
dust deposited on the leaves of the Z. spina-christi (L.)
Willd. trees, the amount of chlorophyll and, ultimately,
pollution tolerance will reduce significantly.
5. Conclusion
In general, the results of the current study confirm the
presence of a significant relationship between the dust
deposited on the leaves of the Z. spina-christi (L.) Willd.
trees and the rate of photosynthesis and APTI. The results
of the present study can underlie the determination of
the cultivable species suitable for the climate of Ahvaz
and the dust storm phenomenon. One of the proposed
research fields of the present study is to carry out a similar
study on other plant species in the city of Ahvaz and other
cities facing the dust phenomenon.
Acknowledgments
The authors of the article would like to thank Islamic Azad
University, Ahvaz branch, environmental protection organizations,
and the Vice-Chancellor of Green Space of Ahvaz Municipality for
their cooperation in obtaining the required information.
Authors’ Contribution
Conceptualization: Zhaleh Kariminezhad, Sina Attarroshan.
Data curation: Sina Attarroshan, Anoshirvan Shirvani.
Formal analysis: Sima Sabzalipour, Maryam Mohammadi
Rouzbahani.
Funding acquisition: Zhaleh Kariminezhad, Sina Attarroshan, Sima
Sabzalipour.
Investigation: Zhaleh Kariminezhad, Sina Attarroshan, Sima
Sabzalipour.
Methodology: Anoshirvan Shirvani, Sina Attarroshan, Maryam
Mohammadi Rouzbahani.
Project administration: Sina Attarroshan.
Resources: Zhaleh Kariminezhad, Anoshirvan Shirvani, Maryam
Mohammadi Rouzbahani.
Supervision: Sina Attarroshan, Sima Sabzalipour.
Validation: Sima Sabzalipour, Maryam Mohammadi Rouzbahani.
Visualization: Sima Sabzalipour, Maryam Mohammadi
Rouzbahani.
Writing – original draft: Zhaleh Kariminezhad, Sina Attarroshan.
Writing – review & editing: Zhaleh Kariminezhad, Sina Attarroshan.
Competing Interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Funding
The authors declared that this research was not funded.
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