Macroflora as a Bio-Trap for Airbone Particulate Matter

Abstract

Malaysia has already witnessed numerous tragedies in which a lot of people suffer or died because of breathing bad air quality. As an example, during the haze phenomena in 1997, numerous people suffer from respiratory problem. Despite countless preventive measures the airborne particulate matter (APM) is still a contact and credible threat. New approach should be considered to resolve such problems. One of an alternative way that is believed could alleviate the atmosphere of APM and other air pollutants are by using trees. This study presents a feasibility study on trees as a bio-trap for APM. Road-side areas were chosen as the site of interest. Traffic counting was done on the site in order to investigate the loading density of APM during the sampling day. Cumulative deposited dust of tree leaves then were weighted in order to assess their suitability as a bio-trap. Air sampling by MiniVol was carried out to check the concentration of total suspended solid (TSP) at the site. Leaves surface characteristic then being asses by Topper Metallurgical Microscope. Results show that leaves with rougher surface is more appropriate to trap APM compare to the smooth one.