Complex evaluation of the modern atmospheric air of city ecosystems

¹ Ryazan State Agrotechnological University named after P.A. Kostychev, Department of Animal Science and Biology, 390044 Ryazan, Russia
² Ryazan State Agrotechnological University named after P.A. Kostychev, Department of Forestry, Agrochemistry and Ecology, 390044 Ryazan, Russia

^* Corresponding author: fedosowa1986@mail.ru

Abstract

The results of studies of the chemical composition of atmospheric air showed that the concentration of ammonia (0.2520 mg/m³), nitrogen dioxide (0.3942 mg/m³) and hydrogen sulfide (0.0269 mg/m³) exceeded the MPC requirements. The seasonal dynamics of the spread of aerogenic pollutants revealed a decrease in NO, NO₂, H₂S, SO₂ from winter to the spring-summer season. However, the content of such pollutants as NH₃, CO and dust increased significantly in summer to 0.0816, 3.7140 and 0.0289 mg/m³ respectively. During bio-indication of 363 trees only 4 species of the 16 studied ones were characterized as healthy (K<1.5). The overall level of attenuation was 2.16 (“weakened forest”). Evaluation of the fluctuating asymmetry showed high resistance of the maple (Acer Platanoides) to environmental pollution (the level of asymmetry in the transport zone was 0.039 against 0.077–0.078 in the silver birch (Betula pendula) and the fragrant poplar (Populus suaveolens). The high level of anthropogenic pollution in the transport zones of the city adversely affected roadside biotopes. It has been proven that roadside phytocenosis is significantly sparse and the population density drops sharply by 50–100 %, compared to cleaner functional areas. The results of lichenoid indication showed that in most of the sites studied, the air was highly polluted (pollution class 1) and the concentration of SO₂ was 0.10–0.30 mg/m³.