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The Role of Spontaneous Flora in the Mitigation of Particulate Matter from Traffic Roads in an Urbanised Area

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  • Robert Popek

    (Section of Basic Research in Horticulture, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Beata Fornal-Pieniak

    (Department of Environmental Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Piotr Dąbrowski

    (Section of Basic Research in Horticulture, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Filip Chyliński

    (Instytut Techniki Budowlanej, Filtrowa Street 1, 00-611 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) is a serious air pollutant that poses significant health risks. One solution to reduce PM concentrations in these areas is through phytoremediation, a process that involves using plants to remove contaminants from the environment. In this study, we investigated the capacity of spontaneous flora—herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees growing in five zones from the road—to absorb PM on their foliage. The study found significant differences in the accumulation of PM, with the highest PM accumulation recorded in Zone V, which boasted a blend of the three mentioned vegetation types together. In contrast, Zones I and II, which were located close to the road and comprised solely herbaceous plants, exhibited 14.3% and 43.4% less PM accumulation, respectively. Similarly, Zone IV, with a mix of herbaceous plants and shrubs, showed 64.5% less PM accumulation, while Zone III, with only herbaceous plants, had a staggering PM accumulation reduction of 76.8%. The sum of Si+Al+Ca displayed a similar pattern. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the valuable role of plants in decreasing PM concentrations in the air, resulting in reductions of 76%, 39%, and 47% for PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and PM 1.0 , respectively. The results indicate that various spontaneous flora can work in unison to reduce PM, providing a multifaceted approach to combating air pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Popek & Beata Fornal-Pieniak & Piotr Dąbrowski & Filip Chyliński, 2023. "The Role of Spontaneous Flora in the Mitigation of Particulate Matter from Traffic Roads in an Urbanised Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:9:p:7568-:d:1139748
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dagmara Stangierska & Beata Fornal-Pieniak & Paweł Szumigała & Katarzyna Widera & Barbara Żarska & Karolina Szumigała, 2023. "Green Physical Activity Indicator: Health, Physical Activity and Spending Time Outdoors Related to Residents Preference for Greenery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Yanmei Li & Shaojun Wang & Qibo Chen, 2019. "Potential of Thirteen Urban Greening Plants to Capture Particulate Matter on Leaf Surfaces across Three Levels of Ambient Atmospheric Pollution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Margareth Viecco & Sergio Vera & Héctor Jorquera & Waldo Bustamante & Jorge Gironás & Cynnamon Dobbs & Eduardo Leiva, 2018. "Potential of Particle Matter Dry Deposition on Green Roofs and Living Walls Vegetation for Mitigating Urban Atmospheric Pollution in Semiarid Climates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
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    6. Robert Popek & Beata Fornal-Pieniak & Filip Chyliński & Magdalena Pawełkowicz & Jan Bobrowicz & Dominika Chrzanowska & Natalia Piechota & Arkadiusz Przybysz, 2022. "Not Only Trees Matter—Traffic-Related PM Accumulation by Vegetation of Urban Forests," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, March.
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