Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E019
Published online: 22 April 2026
Vegetated noise barriers as biofilters for traffic-related air pollution
Adam Nawrocki
Centre for Climate Research SGGW, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Department of Biometry, Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Corresponding author: adam_nawrocki@sggw.edu.pl
Air pollution from road traffic, particularly particulate matter (PM) and associated trace elements (TE), remains a major environmental and public health concern in urban areas. Vegetated earth berms are commonly used as noise barriers; however, their role in reducing airborne pollutants is still not fully understood. This study investigated PM and TE accumulation by herbaceous vegetation growing on a highway earth berm across four seasons, considering different heights and both sides of the barrier.
Herbaceous plants accumulated considerable amounts of PM (74.6–646.9 mg·m−2) and TE (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As: 4.6–2313.0 ppm) throughout the year, confirming their role in pollutant interception. Clear spatial differences were observed, with plants on the back-side of the berm accumulating 18–66% less PM than those on the road-facing side. Seasonal variation was pronounced: PM deposition peaked in summer, reaching levels up to sevenfold higher than in spring, particularly on front-side vegetation. In contrast, air PM₁₀ concentrations were highest in winter near the road, while values measured on the back-side were 32–86% lower. TE concentrations were elevated near the road and decreased with distance, and the potential ecological risk index (RI) was reduced by up to 42% on the protected side of the berm. Overall, the vegetated berm reduced PM levels in air on the leeward side by up to 71% compared to the windward side. These findings demonstrate that herbaceous vegetation on earth berms can function as an effective biofilter, significantly mitigating traffic-related air pollution in urban environments.
This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, grant no. 2020/39/D/NZ9/00969.
Keywords: acoustic barrier; air pollution mitigation; particulate matter (PM); roadside vegetation; trace elements (TE)
How to cite
Nawrocki A., 2026. Vegetated noise barriers as biofilters for traffic-related air pollution. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E019