How leaves could monitor pollution

Leaf surfaces collect tiny particles from vehicle exhaust

PORTLAND, Ore. — Foliage on trees lining traffic routes could serve as low-tech pollution sensors, a new analysis suggests.

GREEN GATHERER Small particles of iron oxide trapped on the surfaces of leaves render the foliage magnetic. Leaves could be low-tech pollution sensors. IMAGE: Sadie Belica, Western Washington Univ. in Bellingham

The exhaust of many vehicles, particularly those that burn diesel, includes copious quantities of microscopic particles of many sizes.