Effects of air pollutants on the physiology and anatomy of Fraxinus excelsior leaves within the Iran's Aluminum plant in ARAK city

Urban pollution is a major environmental concern, especially in large cities in developing countries.MARKAZY province is one of the industrial provinces of the country that has the high air pollution due to Industrial structures. Study of structural and functional responses of Fraxinus excelsior to air pollutants was the objective of this research. Using data from the Environmental Protection Agency, Aluminum plant limits as Polluted area and HAFTAD GHOLLEH area at a distance of 35 km of ARAK as Clean area were selected and Leaf samples of Fraxinus excelsior harvested in both areas simultaneously and some of physiology and anatomy of Fraxinus leaves parameters were studied. The results showed that the effects of air pollution, the rate of Chlorophyll, Protein, activity of Guaiacol peroxidase, Phosphorus and Potassium elements, increased significantly. But the rate of Ion leakage, membrane lipid of Proxidation, Proline, Sodium and Sulfur elements, activity of Catalas, Super oxide Dismutase, and Water content (5% level) showed significant increase. Density of Trichome in Upper and lower leaf surface, Stomatal openness, the length of palisade cells parenchyma , and thickness of Sponge parenchyma didn’t show significant change. But the size of Trichome in both sides of leaf surface, increased significantly. The results show that the changes of plant parameters, increase plant resistance against air pollution in the region. Therefor, the cultivation of this plant can be used for the same Polluted green space areas.