ABSTRACT
Air pollution assessment was carried out using chlorophyll concentration reduction criterion of some plants,such as Aspilia africana, Combretum platypterum, Alternanthera brasiliana, Chromolaena odorata, Panicum maximum, as the bio-indicator species.The study was carried out at three (3) different locations. Polluted (Okhun road), slightly polluted (Ozakpolor Street ) and unpolluted (University of Benin blocks of flat), Ugbowo, Benin City, Nigeria. Chlorophyll content of intact matured leaves of study plants were measured in situ, using a hand-held digital chlorophyll content meter CCM 200 Plus. The mean value of chlorophyll content index of Aspilia africana at polluted, slightly polluted and unpolluted sites were: 10.80 ± 0.60,13.97 ± 0.87,17.93 ± 2.87 respectively.There was no significant differences between polluted and slightly polluted sites, as well as slightly polluted and unpolluted sites, (P>0.05).But there was a significant difference between polluted and unpolluted sites (P<0.05).The mean value of chlorophyll content index of Combretum platypterum at polluted, slightly polluted and unpolluted sites were :32.60 ± 0.99,40.63 ± 0.97,45.07 ± 2.17 respectively. There was no significant differences between polluted and slightly polluted sites , as well as slightly polluted and unpolluted sites (P>0.05), but there was a significant difference between polluted and unpolluted sites (P<0.05). The mean value of chlorophyll content index of Alternanthera brasiliana at polluted, slightly polluted and unpolluted sites were:33.33 ± 2.63,42.10 ± 0.79,51.77 ± 2.89 respectively. There were significant differences among polluted, slightly polluted and unpolluted sites (P<0.05). The mean value of chlorophyll content index of Chromolaena odorata at polluted, slightly polluted and unpolluted sites were:16.93 ± 0.29,19.16 ± 0.43,21.27 ± 0.30 respectively. There were significant differences among polluted, slightly polluted and unpolluted sites (P<0.05).The mean value of chlorophyll content index of Panicum maximum the chlorophyll at polluted,slightly polluted and unpolluted sites were:14.33 ± 0.14,16.0.7 ± 0.87,21.37 ± 0.92 respectively. There was no significant differences between polluted and slightly polluted sites (P>0.05). But there was significant difference between polluted and unpolluted sites (P<0.05). It is important to address air pollution to protect the health and well-being of humans, animals and plants.
