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Air pollution has long been seen as a health and environmental problem, so it may surprise some people to learn that in Western Australia air pollution can sometimes have positive outcomes. Studies have shown that in certain areas, air pollution acts as a regional cooling agent, and has benefits related to crop growth.

The most notable example of air pollution helping to cool the temperature in Western Australia is seen in the Wheatbelt region. Typically, temperatures in this region during summer months can soar past 30 degrees Celsius. However, research has shown that air pollution generated from human activity such as crop burning and fuel combustion, actually acts to cool the air, and has seen temperatures there remain lower than predicted. Historically, crop burning has been a cause of air pollution, and the pollutants released have been the key to cooling the temperature in the region.

On a tangible level, air pollution in Western Australia can also be beneficial for crop growth and development. Studies in the Wheatbelt have shown that the presence of air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, NOx, and particulates can act as a stimulant for plants. The pollutants provide the plants with trace elements and minerals, which can improve the nutrition content and they texture of certain grains. There is evidence to suggest that levels of manganese, nitrogen, and phosphorus in crops from the region are related to the air pollution present.

On the flip side, too much air pollution can be damaging for both the human population and the environment. In some cases, air pollution has been tariffs to be a cause for ill health, and affect the productivity of certain species such as fish and shellfish in the region. But, in limited quantities, air pollution can be beneficial, and plays an important role in maintaining the temperature and providing essential trace elements for crop growth in Western Australia.





References

Air Pollution in the Wheatbelt. (2012). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 28 June 2020, from https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/publications/wheatbelt

Davenport, J., Raupach, M. R., Thomson, B., Bradstock, R., Boschetti, T., Hayman, Gurdielis, NJ., Sivapalan, M., & Williams, R. J. (2006). Air pollution helps drive biomass and crop yields in the south west Australian wheatbelt. Geophysical Research Letters, 33(12). Doi: 10.1029/2006GL026100

Sharma, A., & Saharan, S. S. (2011). Beneficial roles of air pollutants for crop growth: A mini review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 182(1-4), 289-295. Doi: 10.1007/s10661-011-2208-7