Assessment of the level of aerotechnogenic atmospheric pollution in Kokshetau

Abstract

This article examines the possibility of using the indicator of fluctuating asymmetry of the leaf blade of the hanging birch (Betula pendula Roth.) to assess the state of the urban environment.  The proposed method is based on the identification of deviations from bilateral symmetry in leaf development that occur under the influence of anthropogenic factors. The author considers fluctuating asymmetry as an indicator of the stress state of plants caused by environmental pollution, and analyzes its potential for bioindication of the level of anthropogenic load in cities.

Despite the low level of air pollution according to stationary observations, the authors explore the possibility of using a more sensitive assessment method - analysis of the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of the leaf blade of the hanging birch (Betula pendula Roth.) as an indicator of anthropogenic load.

The paper describes the features of FA manifestation in plants, justifies the choice of hanging birch as a bioindicator, and presents a methodology for evaluating FA of leaf blades according to five morphometric characteristics. Four observation points within the city of Kokshetau with varying degrees of anthropogenic load and a control point outside the city were selected for the study.  The data obtained will allow us to assess the impact of the urban environment on the FA level of birch leaves and draw conclusions about the state of atmospheric air in the studied areas of the city.