How does smoke affect plant

growth?

Student: Dexter Hurlston

Mr: Mario Macpui

10 “B”
Introduction: smoke and its different colors show a bit like this the amount of
oxygen and chemicals in the smoke, so I want to show how plant growth is
affected by the smoke, gas and vapor. The main purpose of the project is to
discover what is the most beneficial way smoke can affect the plant and its
environment.

Problem; Some plants can grow in contaminated soil because of the ashes and
cigarette smoke.
Background Research:

Smoke can affect plants in both a positive and negative manner. smoke is
Smoke occurs when there is incomplete combustion (not enough oxygen to burn
the fuel completely). In complete combustion, everything is burned, producing
just water and carbon dioxide. When incomplete combustion occurs, not
everything is burned. Smoke is a collection of these tiny unburned particles.
Each particle is too small to see with your eyes, but when they come together,
you see them as smoke. This can often cause more damage to a building than
flames or the heat of the fire. Smoke will leave widespread stains and smells
that are difficult to remove. All smoke contains carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide and particulate matter, particulate matter is a mix between gas and
matter. It contributes to acid rain and climate change. In addition to the
worsening of acid rain. The smoke produces an incomplete burning of
carbon-containing materials.

Smoke creates positive effects by increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

This is because plants extract carbon dioxide from the air and use it in
photosynthesis to produce food. Contrarily, smoke and ash particles can coat
plants inhibiting photosynthesis. Smoke particulates and tar can clog stomatal
pores, preventing the gas exchange required in photosynthesis.

This reduces gas exchange in the leaf, decreasing the amount of food available
to the plant. At the same time, smoke contains toxic chemicals that destroy
chlorophyll on a plant affecting photosynthesis. This isn't the only disadvantage
of smoke. A few studies discuss how cigarette smoke affects the growth and
health of indoor plants. In a small study, plants exposed to cigarette smoke for
30 minutes per day grew fewer leaves, many of which browned and dried out or
dropped off sooner than leaves on plants in a control group. Plants are capable
of absorbing toxins from cigarette smoke and the air in general. Too much
cigarette smoke in a small area could have more detrimental effects on plants
than the other way around.

Can plants get harmed from wildfire?

Yes. Wildfire smoke poses a threat to plants. However, the answer depends on a
number of factors, including how close the crop is to the fire, how thick the
smoke is, and how much light is impacted. Crop variety and staging are two
factors that can influence plant development. Compared to a sunny day when it
continues to grow, plant growth is low when smoke persists for a long time.

When we inhale smoke, the respiratory tract gets irritated, causing cough and
difficulty breathing. Also, eyes and skin become red. When carbon monoxide in
the smoke is inhaled, carbon monoxide poisoning causes headaches, nausea, and
vomiting, but smoke can affect plants in both a positive and negative manner.
When smoke is produced by the combustion of some material, it increases
carbon dioxide over a limited area. Plants need that carbon dioxide to make
food and generate the oxygen that helps plants grow with sufficient light.

Does Smoke Help Plants Grow?

Smoke certainly helps plants grow. Smoke supplies carbon dioxide that allows
plants to grow. Smoke improves seed germination and seedling growth of many
plant species. Under adverse environmental conditions, it also becomes helpful.

moderate levels of smoke can diffuse the light in the high desert area that is
generally exposed to very intense light every day, relieving plants there.