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eISSN: 2083-5906
ISSN: 1230-1485
ISSN: 1230-1485
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Tree Leaf Morphology Shapes Particulate
Matter Retention and Wash-off Dynamics
under Simulated Rainfall
1
Centre for Climate Research SGGW, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW (WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska
166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
2
Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW
(WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Submission date: 2025-05-28
Final revision date: 2025-08-26
Acceptance date: 2025-11-08
Online publication date: 2026-01-29
Publication date: 2026-10-23
Corresponding author
Robert Popek
Centre for Climate Research SGGW, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW (WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Centre for Climate Research SGGW, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW (WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2026;35(5):6463-6472
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Urban vegetation mitigates air pollution by capturing particulate matter (PM) on leaf surfaces, yet
rainfall can wash away accumulated particles, reducing retention efficiency. This study investigates how
leaf morphological traits of ten tree species influence PM accumulation and retention under simulated
rainfall. PM was categorized as rain-washable (RWPM), surface-bound (SPM), and wax-embedded (WPM),
with the sum of SPM and WPM defined as rain-indelible PM (RIPM), reflecting long-term retention on
leaves. Species varied significantly in PM accumulation. Taxodium distichum, Paulownia tomentosa,
and Araucaria araucana showed the highest total PM, while Platanus × acerifolia and Indesia
polycarpa showed the lowest. RIPM was most abundant in A. araucana, T. plicata, and P. tomentosa.
Total PM correlated positively with foliage type (r = 0.57) and negatively with petiole length (r = -0.59).
Higher epicuticular wax content improved fine PM retention, emphasizing the role of chemical traits. In
contrast, smooth-leaved species retained less PM, likely due to lower surface roughness. These findings
highlight how both structural and biochemical leaf characteristics affect PM capture and retention. They
offer valuable insight for selecting tree species in urban planning to enhance air pollution mitigation and
contribute to healthier urban environments.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
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