Identifying Common Trees and Herbaceous Plants to Mitigate Particulate Matter Pollution in a Semi-Arid Mining Region of South Africa

Plants provide long-term and sustainable solutions to mitigate particulate matter (PM) pollution in urban environments. We evaluated total, fine, coarse large particle trapping abilities of an equal number common trees (Carica papaya, Citrus limon, Moringa oleifera, Ozoroa paniculosa, Peltophorum africanum, Psidium guajava) herbaceous species (Argemone ochroleuca, Catharanthus roseus, Gomphocarpus fruticosus, Ipomoea batatas, Senna italica, Tribulus terrestris) identify dust accumulators for Sekhukhuneland, a mining–smelting region South Africa where desertification is becoming problematic. Scanning electron microscopy techniques were used count measure particles relate leaf surface micromorphology accumulation. Three tree three showed superior collection capacity (G. fruticosus > P. guajava I. batatas O. paniculosa C. roseus M. oleifera). Variations accumulation PM sizes noted among these six between adaxial abaxial surfaces. Compared with PM, all plants accumulated more fine fractions which are respirable thus hazardous human health. Leaf roughness, epicuticular wax epidermal glands improved The preferred may serve as forerunner abate Sekhukhuneland other arid regions facing similar climate change challenges.