Assessment of Hedera helix response in polluted environment through cross-advanced investigation techniques

Abstract Establishing plant–pollutant interaction and pollutant uptake mechanism for botanical biofilters treating contaminated air is one of the challenges of moving forward implementation of such biosystems in practice. Cross-investigation of Hedera helix leaf changes during toluene exposure has been undertaken in the actual study for providing more insights into this process, by using samples collected before and after experiment from a biofilter continuously operated with toluene-rich air. Results of FTIR, LP, SEM, EDX and TG/MS/FTIR for the analyzed leaf reveal that toluene uptake occurs via adsorption as a dominant mechanism, while lignin might be affected by toluene under certain circumstances. Overall, a stimulating effect of toluene on plant metabolism was observed, supporting the plant suitability to be involved in biofilters for treating traces of toluene in ambient air. These in-depth screening of plant-based process aspects might not be easily pointed out by other technics either because they are dispersed in different thematic areas or too sophisticated or not accessible. Moreover, the integrated TG/MS/FTIR technique has not been used so far to assess ivy leaves; thus, the actual study can serve as a model for other studies in such related topics.