Current Affairs - Environment - Discussion

The study on the impact of coal mining dust on plants, particularly how it harms plant stomata and reduces carbon absorption, was conducted by the University of Southampton in collaboration with NIT Rourkela. The research found that the dust, which can affect vegetation up to 30 km from the mine, significantly reduces carbon uptake in plants and obstructs their stomata, leading to poor plant health and ecosystem damage. The study highlights the broader environmental and ecological consequences of coal mining dust on plant life and carbon cycles.