Kudzu, the vine-gone-wild that runs rampant in the South, may be spewing pollution into the atmosphere, researchers reported.
Two scientists believe the plant is emitting sizable amounts of ground-level ozone, potentially increasing smog and contributing to global climate change. Kudzu produces 2 key ingredients of ozone: isoprene and nitric acid. The vine produces isoprene 5-10 times faster than similar plants.
-- Sarah
(Image courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org)
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