Characterization of leaf-level particulate matter on Taft Avenue, Manila
Abstract
The ambient particles settling upon the leaf surfaces (‘leaf-level PM’) of Dieffenbachia amoena Bull or dumb cane plants from four sites along the Taft Avenue, Manila were analyzed. This study collected deposited particles through brushing the leaf on-site and letting the PM settle on a sticker paper. The mass and particle size distribution of PM was measured through gravimetric and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, respectively. The results displayed different particle size portions which differed at each sampling site. It was found that United Nations Avenue accumulated the greatest mean mass concentration per unit leaf area with 125.11 μg/cm2, while Quirino Avenue, accumulated the lowest mean mass concentration per unit leaf area with 58.01 μg/cm2. This agrees with most studies that relate higher air speed and lower humidity to lower deposition rate of particles.