Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E026
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, E026 (2023)
Where trees cannot grow – herbaceous plants as filters in air purification from PM
Adam Nawrocki1*, Robert Popek2, Arkadiusz Przybysz2
1 Doctoral School of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
2 Section of Basic Research in Horticulture, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
* Corresponding author: adam_nawrocki@sggw.edu.pl
Abstract
The problem of poor air quality affects many cities in Europe and around the world. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most dangerous pollutants in the air for human health and life. Exposure to PM can cause serious diseases of the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. The main sources of PM emissions into the atmosphere in urbanized areas are road transport and combustion of fossil fuels. In addition to reducing PM emissions into the atmosphere, appropriate steps should also be taken to remove these harmful substances from the air around us. One of the very effective and completely environmentally friendly methods is phytoremediation. The positive role of trees and shrubs in purifying the air of PM has been repeatedly confirmed in many studies. Still, very little is known about the accumulation of PM by herbaceous plants found in urban lawns and urban meadows. In this work, the accumulation of PM by an urban lawn and an urban meadow located in close proximity to a high traffic national road No. 2 (DK2) in Warsaw (Poland) was investigated. For this purpose, samples were collected at three distances from the road (1 m, 8 m and 1 m) in two dates (spring and summer) in the case of an urban lawn and in four dates (spring, summer, autumn and winter) in the case of an urban meadow. Measurements of PM concentration in the air in the studied locations were also carried out. In order to assess the effectiveness of PM accumulation by the studied plant communities, the results were converted to 1 m2 of an urban lawn and an urban meadow. The analyzes showed that the urban meadow accumulated more PM than the urban lawn. In addition, an urban meadow removed PM from the air more effectively than an urban lawn and can be used as a year-round air purification tool.
How to cite
A. Nawrocki, R. Popek, A. Przybysz, 2023. Where trees cannot grow – herbaceous plants as filters in air purification from PM. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E026