How does smog affect plants?

Answer 1

ground-level ozone can disrupt photosynthesis, meaning plants do not make their food. it can also turn the leaves brown and cause the leaves to die, harming the plant.

particulate matter can reduce visibility (create haze), reducing sunlight that can reach plants. it can be carried on the wind, settling elsewhere. It can deplete the natural minerals found in soil that plants need.

nitrogen oxides (NOx) helps to create ground-level ozone, and can also combine with other organic chemicals in the air to make some toxic chemicals. NOx is also a component that creates acid rain, which can damage plant leaves. Acid rain slows the growth of plants, and in extreme cases can kill the plant. Acid rain also causes some other metals/minerals (say, from car's paint or stone buildings) to leach into the soil, which may harm the plant. Acid rain also helps to wash out of the soil important minerals the plant may need to develop. NOx is also a greenhouse gas, which can cause climate change. NOx also reduces visibility/transmission of light, meaning that plants have less solar energy to use to produce food through photosynthesis.

Sulfur dioxide also causes haze, and is a component in acid rain.

Carbon monoxide helps to create ground-level ozone.