ABSTRACT
Present study is an attempt to evaluate the difference in rate of sulphur dioxide (SO2) absorption by deciduous (Ficus religiosa) and evergreen (Carica papaya) plants, under elevated concentration of the gas in ambient air. Two-way ANOVA for SO2 in air and sulphate (SO4) accumulation in both the selected plants showed significant difference (p<0.01) at different study sites; different months as well as interaction effect of both site and months. The linear correlation coefficient among ambient air SO2 and SO4 in leaves was always significant (p<0.001) in case of deciduous plant; however, the same in evergreen plants showed heterogeneous result. Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) of F. religiosa (deciduous) and C. papaya (evergreen) was found to be 19.73 and 81.10 respectively, proving that the former has low tolerance capacity and is sensitive, while the latter is resistant to the elevated ambient air SO2.
ABSTRACT
Acidity and alkalinity are independent parameters and they directly or indirectly regulate the pH of a medium. These are the prime factors which control the nature of the reactions in a medium. The present study was designed to explore the numerical interdependence of the three parameters and also, to develop the regression models. For physico-chemical analysis of the selected parameters, water quality of a polluted tropical river was analysed fortnightly, for complete one year. Correlation coefficients between pH-acidity and acidity-alkalinity were negative while that between pH and alkalinity were positive. The value calculated by the developed multiple regression models, explain pH, acidity and alkalinity up to 57, 65 and 79% respectively, suggesting their utility and relevance.