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Environmental Skeptics and Critics, 2016, 5(1): 1-11
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Article

Biomagnetic monitoring of particulate matter (PM) through leaves of an invasive alien plant Lantana camara in an Indo-Burma hot spot region

Prabhat Kumar Rai, BikuMoniChutia
School of Earth Science and Natural Resource Management Mizoram Central University, Aizawl, India

Received 17 September 2015;Accepted 25 October 2015;Published online 1 March 2016
IAEES

Abstract
Present study was performed in urban forests of Aizawl, Mizoram, North East India falling under an Indo-Burma hot spot region of existing ecological relevance and pristine environment. Phyto-sociolology of invasive weeds has been performed and results revealed that Lantana camara was the most dominant invasive weed. Further, the air quality studies revealed high suspended particulate matter (SPM) as well as respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in ambient air of Aizawl, Mizoram, North East India. Bio-magnetic monitoring through plant leaves has been recognised as recent thrust area in the field of particulate matter (PM) science. We aimed to investigate that whether magnetic properties of Lantana camara leaves may act as proxy of PM pollution and hence an attempt towards it's sustainable management. Magnetic susceptibility (¦Ö), Anhyste reticremanent magnetization (ARM) and Saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) of Lantana camara plant leaves were assessed and concomitantly correlated these magnetic properties with ambient PM in order to screen this invasive plant which may act as proxy for ambient PM concentrations. Results revealed high ¦Ö, ARM, SIRM of Lantana camara leaves and moreover, these parameters were having significant and positive correlation with ambient SPM as well as RSPM. Therefore, present study recommended the use of Lantana camara as bio-magnetic monitor which may further have sustainable management implications of an invasive plant.

Keywords invasion;bio-magnetic monitoring;sustainable management;Indo-Burma hot spot;human health;particulate matter.


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