Indoor Air Quality Improvement Using Nature-Based Solutions: Design Proposals to Greener Cities

Teresa M. Mata, Gisela M. Oliveira, Helena Monteiro, Gabriela Ventura Silva, Nídia S. Caetano and António A. Martins
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Teresa M. Mata: INEGI-Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Gisela M. Oliveira: UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, University Fernando Pessoa, Praça Nove de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
Helena Monteiro: Low Carbon & Resource Efficiency, R&Di, Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade, 4415-491 Grijó, Portugal
Gabriela Ventura Silva: INEGI-Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Nídia S. Caetano: LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, S/N, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
António A. Martins: LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, S/N, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-20

Abstract: Low indoor air quality is an increasingly important problem due to the spread of urbanization. Because people spend most of their time inside, poor indoor air quality causes serious human health issues, resulting in significant economic losses. In this work, the current state of affairs is presented and analyzed, focusing on the current problems and the available solutions to improve the quality of indoor air, and the use of nature-based solutions. These involve the cultivation of microalgae in closed photobioreactors. In these systems, photosynthetic organisms can capture CO 2 and other pollutants generated in indoor environments, which they use to grow and develop biomass. Several possible layouts for the implementation of microalgae-based indoor air cleaning systems are presented, taking into account the systems that are currently available at a commercial scale. A critical analysis of the microalgae indoor purification systems is presented, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and suggesting potential improvements and future lines of research and development in the area.

Keywords: CO 2 mitigation; indoor air quality; microalgae; health impact mitigation; nature-based solutions; circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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