The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal variation in accumulation of cement dust and its impact on chlorophyll content of leaves in two shrub species with different types of leaves – Bougainvillea spectabilis and Lanatana camara growing in and around Jaypee cement plant Rewa (M.P.). Results showed that Lanatana camara accumulated higher amounts of dust that resulted in a reduction of the efficiency of the photosynthetic pigments whereas less dust accumulation with more photosynthetic efficiency in the leaves of Bougainvillea spectabilis growing in polluted site as compared to non-polluted ones in all three seasons. A strong negative correlation was found between the amount of dust accumulation and the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus in both the species. Thus shrubs can help significantly in reducing the adverse effect of cement dust pollution by acting as natural filters.
