Particulate matter retention and removal efficiency in ten tree species of semi-arid environment

Modern era has witnessed particulate matter (PM) become one of the biggest threats for the existence of biological species. Therefore, a study was performed in Faisalabad city to evaluate PM retention and removal efficiency of ten local tree species. Branch samples were collected from urban, sub-urban and rural areas in September 2020 (183 days after rain), and in August 2021 (30 days after rain). Results showed that total PM load, PM_>10 and PM₁₀-_2.5 retention was the highest in urban followed by sub-urban and rural area. PM_>10, PM₁₀-_2.5, total PM, and PM deposition rate decreased significantly in the following order, <i>F. benghalensis > T. arjuna > S. cumini > A. scholaris > F. religiosa > E. camaldulensis > D sissoo > C lancifolius > B. ceiba > M. alba</i> during both years 2020, and 2021. During the artificial rainfall experiment, total PM removed by the species also followed the same order however, PM removal efficiency was the highest in <i>B. ceiba</i> and <i>M. alba</i> followed by <i>E. camaldulensis, C. lancifolius, D. sissoo, T. arjuna, S. cumini, A. scholaris, F. religiosa</i> and <i>F. benghalensis.</i> Therefore, it can be concluded that species selection must be done skillfully for congested urban environment.