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This study was conducted to investigate the physiological absorption factors influencing on improvement of indoor air quality and the difference in absorption and adsorption ability among 7 foliage plant species, Rhapis humilis, Spathiphyllum patinii, Pachira aquatica, Scindapsus aureas, Nephrolephis exaltata, Ficus benjamina, and Schefflera arboricola. A certain level of CO₂, NO₂, NH₃, and HCHO gases were injected into airtight chambers and several physiological factors of each plant were evaluated to find the major factors involved in absorption ability. Eventhough gas removal rates varied depending upon gases injected, S. patinii, P. aquatics, and R. humilis had higher absorption ability, while N. exaltata and S. arboricola had lower ability. Absorption rates of NO₂, NH₃, and HCHO when the potting soil was open were higher in all plant species as compared to when the potting soil was sealed. This phenomenon, which was conspicuous in HCHO, was thought to be mainly due to adsorption by potting soil. Among the physiological variables, photosynthetic rate, CO₂ absorption rate, and stomatal conductance showed significantly positive correlation with gas absorption rate of CO₂ and NH₃. But NO₂ and HCHO absorption rates seemed to be related to adsorption by plant transpiration or leaf surface more than direct absorption by plants. Activities of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase involved in a scavenging metabolism of activated oxigen were also high in S. patinii, P. aquatica, and R. humilis which showed high absorption ability in all gases. Considering the activities of these enzymes associated with tolerance against external air pollutants showed significant correlation with photosynthetic rate and CO₂ absorption rate, it could be postulated that these enzyme activities also could affect plant absorption ability.
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