27 July 2026

Effect of air pollution on plant life in the city of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Plants, Leaves, Aerosol, Adsorption, Chlorophyll, Air Pollution

Ahmed Jubaer

Consultant

Bangladesh faces a serious problem with air pollution, which has a negative impact on human health and tree health. Leaf damage, slow development, and decreased photosynthetic activity are just a few of the harmful effects on trees that have been linked to high concentrations of pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These consequences affect the aesthetic value of green spaces in addition to interfering with the functions of the ecosystem that trees offer, such as air filtration and carbon sequestration.

Given the seriousness of the problem, the present study plan was implemented to evaluate the amount of pollutants such as SOx, NOx, O₃, hydrocarbons, particulate matter 2.5 (PM₂.₅), particulate matter 10 (PM₁₀), and suspended particulate matter in the air in several urban areas of Chittagong and to evaluate the amount of chlorophyll from the leaves of affected and unaffected leaves so that it may understand how the photosynthesis process of plants is interrupted by air pollution.

2 Number Gate Circle, Akbarsha Lane Circle, Alongkar Mor Bus Stop, Barik Building Circle, BDR Field Circle, Halishahar Access Road, Artillery Center–North Halishahar, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, and CRB Circle were selected as sampling locations based on their heavy traffic and crowdedness. For the analysis of chlorophyll, each plant's leaves were collected in three sections: unaffected, slightly affected, and affected for comparison.

The data studied showed that the most polluted zone with particulate matter had a lower chlorophyll concentration in the surrounding tree leaves. This can indicate that particulate matter can hinder photosynthesis reactions.

For full article - jubaer.ahmed@eqmscl.com

Share this page via

More from Ahmed Jubaer


Plastic Waste Management at Saint Martin Island

A Crucial Step for Effective Waste Management in Bangladesh

Antioxidants, Assessment, Nutritious, Polyphenolic compounds, Flavonoids, Mixed food

GHG Emissions Reduction, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Framework, Textile Industry, Pathway

Recycling, Plant Growth, Soil Pollution, Ship Breaking, Water Pollution, Organic Pollutants, Hazardous Materials

Pollution, Dhaka City, Lake Water, Environment, Target Parameters, Analytical Methods

Chittagong City, Wastewater, Pollution, Analytical Methods, Target Parameters

Chittagong City, Air Pollution, Health Impact, Particulate Matter, Gaseous Pollutants, Trace Metals

Chittagong City, Air Pollution, Control, Particulate Matter, Lead, ECR 1997, Amendment 2005

Climate Change, Vulnerability, LVI, IPCC-VI, Chittagong City Corporation, Bangladesh