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Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds by Means of a Felt-Based Living Wall Using Different Plant Species

Author

Listed:
  • Gina Patricia Suárez-Cáceres

    (Urban Greening and Biosystems Engineering Research Group, ETSIA, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain)

  • Luis Pérez-Urrestarazu

    (Urban Greening and Biosystems Engineering Research Group, ETSIA, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain)

Abstract

Poor indoor quality affects people’s health and well-being. Phytoremediation is one way in which this problem can be tackled, with living walls being a viable option for places with limited space. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of five plant species in a living wall to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and to identify whether the type of pollutant has any influence. An enclosed chamber was used to add the contaminants n-hexane and formaldehyde independently. Total VOCs were measured for three days in two scenarios: (1) empty chamber, and (2) chamber with living wall. Five living walls were prepared, each with three plants of the same species: Spathiphyllum wallisii , Philodendron hederaceum , Ficus pumila , Tradescantia pallida, and Chlorophytum comosum . There was no correlation between leaf area/fresh weight/dry weight and the contaminant reduction. In general, all five species were more efficient in reducing TVOCs when exposed to formaldehyde than to n-hexane. Chlorophytum comosum was the most efficient species in reducing the concentration of TVOCs for both contaminants, Spathiphyllum wallisii being the least efficient by far.

Suggested Citation

  • Gina Patricia Suárez-Cáceres & Luis Pérez-Urrestarazu, 2021. "Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds by Means of a Felt-Based Living Wall Using Different Plant Species," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6393-:d:568803
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Luis Pérez-Urrestarazu & Rafael Fernández-Cañero & Antonio Franco-Salas & Gregorio Egea, 2015. "Vertical Greening Systems and Sustainable Cities," Journal of Urban Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 65-85, October.
    2. Jose Roberto Meireles & Eneida Cerqueira, 2011. "Use of the Micronucleus Test on Tradescantia (Trad-MCN) to Evaluate the Genotoxic Effects of Air Pollution," Chapters, in: Anca Maria Moldoveanu (ed.), Air Pollution - New Developments, IntechOpen.
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