Physiological Responses of Landscape Plants on Long-Term Atmospheric Pollution

Five landscaping tree species in Lanzhou city were investigated and analysed in order to know the Influence of long-term atmospheric pollution on the proline, soluble sugar, chlorophyll contents and pH value of plants. The results showed that these four physiological parameters of each plants species in different pollution areas varied from each other and had significantly different responses. The long-term atmospheric pollution can caused the accumulation of proline and soluble, degradation of chlorophyll, and decreasing of pH value of five plants. Sorphora japonica and Sabina chinensis were the most sensitive species to long-term atmospheric pollution. Ailanthus altissima, Poplar tomentosa and Buxus microphylla performed similar responses and stronger resistance to atmospheric pollution. Lanzhou refinery plant (LRP), Lanzhou chemical plant (LCP) and Lanzhou rubber factory (LRF) of Lanzhou city are areas with heavy air pollution based on the physiological responses of five landscape plants.