Dataset for the project "Evaluation of the effects of trace elements from street dust under urban – industrial conditions on the ecophysiology of Acer platanoides L. and Tilia cordata Mill.

Description of the project: The rapid growth of cities, industry and transport has significantly deteriorated environmental quality, especially in areas with the highest population densities. It applies to water, soil, and air, especially in urban areas. Air pollutants include particulate matter (PM), which harms human health. According to WHO reports (2021), PM pollution is the cause of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, leading to 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016. Although improving every year, the situation in Poland is still worse than in many European countries. The particulate matter also includes heavy metals, which have a toxic effect on plants. Plants in urban areas are particularly vulnerable, especially trees, which perform several vital functions, including mitigating climate change, filtering pollutants, and improving air quality. The aim of the project was to determine and compare the morphological and physiological responses of selected tree species to particulate pollution stress under urban conditions. Tree leaves are an essential barrier to atmospheric dust by trapping it on their surface. However, this may come at the cost of reduced light absorption, increased leaf temperature, damage to leaf blades and consequently impaired photosynthesis and plant productivity. However, the ability to absorb dust varies between tree species. It depends on the leaf surface structure, and the response may be due to the species' sensitivity to pollutants. Investigations were conducted in the Upper Silesian Industrial Area around various emission sources, such as heavy metal smelters, combined heat and power plants, and busy streets. The research focused on two tree species common in urban areas, the Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and the small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata). It included measurement of heavy metal concentrations in leaf blades and dust collected on their surface, analysis of concentrations of selected pigments and ascorbic acid as markers of environmental stress. The study provided a preliminary assessment of the impact of particulate pollution on tree function under harsh urban conditions and determined the potential of the studied species to reduce atmospheric dust.