Optical methods for hydrogen degassing monitoring in urban conditions

Results of a study of variations in optical parameters of bioindicators that grow in the regions of hydrogen degassing in Samara are presented. Raman spectroscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy were used as the main methods of the study. Features of Raman spectra of plants that grow in zones with presence/ absence of deep hydrogen emissions have been ascertained. The main variations have been recorded at wavenumbers of 1380, 1522, 1547, and 1600 cm–1, which are responsible for stretching vibrations in lignin and β-carotene and chlorophyll a and cellulose in plant leaves. Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed an increase in the chloroplasts in leaves of plants which grow at hydrogen degassing territories. An optical coefficient was introduced, on the basis of which the Samara region was monitored.