Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia
EEB
Hard copy: ISSN 1691–8088
On-line: ISSN 2255–9582
Env Exp Biol (2013) 11: 73–79
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Environmental and
Experimental
Biology

Env Exp Biol (2013) 11: 73–79

Original Article

Influence of cement dust pollution on leaf epidermal features of Pennisetum purpureum and Sida acuta

Clement Oluseye Ogunkunle*, A.A. Abdulrahaman, P.O. Fatoba
Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
*Corresponding author, E-mail: ogunkunle.co@unilorin.edu.ng

Abstract

Anatomical features of leaves of two plants (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach and Sida acuta Burm. F.) growing around a cement factory were studied with the aim of examining leaf epidermal modifications that enhance their tolerance and continued survival in the presence of cement dust pollution. P. purpureum showed no anatomical modifications to the pollution, which may indicate that the dose-response level of the pollutants has not been reached in the grass. There were significant modifications in the stomatal size, density and index of leaves of S. acuta exposed to cement dust pollution. The observed modifications of stomatal features in the forms of reduced stomatal size and increased stomatal index in the leaves S. acuta from cement polluted area could be favourable anatomical adaptations to a polluted environment. These responses could be used as biological markers for the presence of cement dust pollutants in leaves of S. acuta.

Key words: cement particles, heavy metals, leaf epidermis, Sida acuta, Pennisetum purpureum.

 
Env Exp Biol (2013) 11: 73–79
 DOI: http://doi.org/10.22364/eeb
EEB

Editor-in-Chief
Prof. Gederts Ievinsh
Published by
University of Latvia

 
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