Evaluation of the effects of air pollution on some physiological parameters of Pyracantha crenulata var. kansuensis in clean and contaminated areas of Tehran

Air pollution has different effects on living organisms. Since plants facing different environmental conditions cannot move, they are forced to cope with difficult conditions and withstand a series of physiological and morphological changes. This study was done to investigate the effects of air pollution on some physiological indices of P. kansuensis plant. These indicators included chlorophyll pigments, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and protein content. The results showed that chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and proteins in the contaminated area as compared with the clean area increased significantly. But anthocyanin content in the clean area did not change significantly compared to the contaminated area. Also, analysis of catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in the polluted regions showed a significant increase in comparison with the clean regions. Therefore, air pollution in Tehran can have adverse effects on photosynthetic efficiency of plants and air purification. functions of the plants which are one of the goals of the green spaces in major cities in addition to the beauty of urban space.