The effects of aerosols on ferns may not be one initially thought of, but along with every other plant life on earth, they do get affected. It has been known for a long time that plants are good for the environment, and good for the air that we breath. Because plants draw in harmful carbon dioxide and release oxygen during their stage of photosynthesis, they are wonderful for cleaning the air in a room and environment. But it is not only carbon dioxide which ferns excel at absorbing, but three other potent pollutants are also sucked up by the plant. Traces of trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde can all be dealt with by ferns, making them valuable additions to any garden or home.
But the effectiveness of ferns and other plant life to continue being the lungs of the earth is being jeopardized by the fact there is so much pollution still in the air. Contaminants such as toxic gases from cars, industrial plants, combine to make small particles hang in the atmosphere, and this is the very nature of aerosols. The smog that one sees rising over the rooftops is a form of aerosol, droplets of liquid which are suspended in gas. The effects of aerosols on ferns are that the pollutants making the aerosols are cutting down the winds and sunlight. The aerosol particles that inhabit the atmosphere stop radiation which has come from the sun, getting to the ground. The particles scatter and absorb the solar radiation, which leads to a cooling down of the earth.
Winds are needed to provide energy and to evaporate water. Without evaporation there is less chance of rain to be falling in the vicinity, as rain clouds will not be formed. Without the winds, then, not only does it hamper moves to utilise wind power as a clean source of renewable energy, but also the natural process of precipitation is being altered. Without the rains, the effects of aerosols on ferns will stunt their growth and the chance of them spreading into a life of vitality. With the sun being blocked by smog and with the winds lessening, the rain will lessen too. There very source of life for plant life will be slowly taken away.
That could have detrimental effects for the fern, because with an abundance of them, the air would be just that little bit cleaner and healthier as they suck poisons out of the air itself. Even indoors, with a plethora of toxins arising from modern building materials, ferns can do an amazing job. But with the degree of pollutants in the air, the effect of aerosols on ferns may have a damaging effect to their long term effectiveness and survival. If the rains dry up, the ferns will dry up too.
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