Even Flowers are Harmed by Air Pollution
It isn’t all in your imagination, flowers really don’t smell as sweet anymore (at least over long distances). A recent study has found that the scent of flowers is reduced by air pollution. This reduction in the odor of flowers may even be partially responsible for the shocking collapse of bee colonies.
“The scent molecules produced by flowers in a less polluted environment, such as in the 1800s, could travel for roughly 1,000 to 1,200 meters [3,300 to 4,000 feet]; but in today’s polluted environment downwind of major cities, they may travel only 200 to 300 meters [650 to 980 feet],” said study team member Jose D. Fuentes. “[A]ir pollution destroys the aroma of flowers, by as much as 90 percent from periods before automobiles and heavy industry,” Fuentes said. “And the more air pollution there is in a region, the greater the destruction of the flower scents.”