Plants, contrary to what was imagined, turned out to be more productive on weekends, according to a fascinating discovery made by the Carnegie Institution of Science, located in California, in the United States.
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According to the research, based on the analysis of data from European satellites between 2018 and 2021, an intriguing phenomenon related to photosynthesis, the essential process by which plants convert light and carbon dioxide into energy.
By comparing measurements of the light emitted by the green pigment in the leaves, the chlorophyll, associated with photosynthesis, with atmospheric pollution levels, scientists made a surprising discovery.
Especially because photosynthesis rates increase on weekends, when the levels of aerosols, solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, such as dust, are considerably lower.
The comprehensive analysis revealed that, across 64% of Europe, the highest rates of photosynthesis coincide with rest days. Lyn He, postdoctoral fellow in Global Ecology and author of the study, highlights the direct correlation with the reduction in industrial activities and traffic on weekends.
During the week, the air becomes more polluted, damaging the plants' photosynthesis capacity. The cycle repeats itself as human and industrial movement intensifies, resulting in a clear disparity in plant productivity.
Additionally, the research team noted that plants were exceptionally more productive in 2020, when aerosol pollution decreased dramatically due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In other words, this finding raises the possibility that the reduction in aerosol levels, especially those from industry and transport, can allow plants to capture and store more carbon.
Scientists suggest that the reduction in pollution levels to the level observed during the height of the pandemic could result in the additional removal of approximately 41 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually.
In view of this, Lyn He emphasizes that “improving air quality is not only beneficial for people's health, but also fundamental for the productivity of the ecosystem”. Therefore, this discovery highlights the vital interconnection between human activity, air quality and the health of ecosystems.
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