Env Exp Biol (2013) 11: 73–79

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

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.