A new study suggests that air pollution could be affecting the scents of night-blooming flowers, potentially disrupting the pollination process. This discovery sheds light on the broader impact of air pollution on ecosystems and food security, beyond its well-known effects on human health. Joel Thornton, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington, emphasizes the crucial role of pollination in agriculture and warns about the consequences of increasing industrialization on the environment. Ozone and nitrogen oxides, among other pollutants, are released into the air, and research has indicated that these pollutants can affect plant fragrances. However, the specific mechanisms were not fully understood until now. Thornton and his team conducted an experiment with pale evening primrose flowers and hawk moths in a wind tunnel, observing the moths’ response to the flower’s scent. The results were concerning, indicating that air pollution could be disrupting the natural pollination process.
2024-03-07 09:00:00
Read more on www.sciencenews.org
