Absorption of Atmospheric Phenol by Evergreen Broad-leaved Tree Species

Abstract To estimate the effect of tree planting on atmospheric phenol, the absorption of phenol by evergreen broad-leaved tree species was examined. In experiments in which the light intensity was varied for camellia, a linear relationship between the phenol absorption rate and the transpiration rate was observed, showing that atmospheric phenol is absorbed through the stomata. The absorption rates for five tree species varied from 21.3 (camellia) to 52.3 ng dm−2h−1ppb−1 (oleander) at 1000 μmol of photons m−2s−1 and the trees exhibiting higher transpiration rates had greater absorption rates of phenol.