One of the problems that we are facing in the country, more in the North is the rising pollution. Indian capital city Delhi is facing a deteriorating air quality and many other cities are covered in thick layers of smog. Globally, China's capital Beijing is notorious for its air pollution. While there is more and more awareness in that direction regarding the planting of more trees, a new study has shown that trees in China's capital grew more quickly in the smog-filled environment. Delhi Airport Combats Air Pollution With Over 35,000 Indoor Plants Instead of Expensive Air Purifiers!

A study has been published in the journal Global Change Biology which kept a track of the aspen trees in Beijing between the year 2012 and 2015 when the pollution and smog levels in the city were at a peak. The observations showed that the thicker the smog, the faster was the tree growth. The trees also grew to be strong. The lead researcher of the study, Liu Lingli said, "This is because trees that absorb major greenhouse gas carbon dioxide will grow slower than they did once the aerosol concentration decreases."

Aerosols are minuscule particles present in the atmosphere which include soot, dust and other particles. They are produced in industrial and agricultural processes and are harmful to human health but help in photosynthesis of the plants. The findings have not surprised the experts studying plant growth as much. Wang Xin, one of the students said, "Aerosol particles can increase the efficiency of photosynthesis by diffusing light, as observations over the past 30 years have showed." She is still studying the effects of atmospheric particles on plant growth in Beijing. She found the growth of trees is slower now compared to the worst period of pollution between 2012-2015.

These findings are not a positive sign about tree growth and we still need to plant more trees to maintain a good air quality for humans to breathe. "It suggests an even more challenging task in coping with climate change while fighting against air pollution in the future," said Lingli. In no way is growing pollution a good thing for the growth of trees and definitely not for us humans.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2018 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).