Dust Retention Effect of Greenery in Typical Urban Traffic Landscapes of Nanjing—In the Case of Xuanwu Avenue in Nanjing City

Qianqian Sheng (), Xiangyi Zhang, Chen Meng, Xiru Zhang, Weizheng Li, Ruizhen Yang and Zunling Zhu ()
Additional contact information
Qianqian Sheng: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Xiangyi Zhang: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Chen Meng: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Xiru Zhang: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Weizheng Li: Advanced Analysis and Testing Center, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Ruizhen Yang: Nanjing Sky Hunt Data Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210037, China
Zunling Zhu: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: With the accelerated process of urbanization, air pollution has become increasingly severe. Garden plants can trap atmospheric particulate matter, which is of great significance for improving the urban ecological environment and promoting sustainable development. To investigate the dust retention effect of typical transportation green spaces in Nanjing, this study focuses on thirteen garden plants on Xuanwu Avenue in Nanjing. The dust retention capacity of these plants was determined using the wash-off method, while the microstructure of their leaf surfaces was observed using scanning electron microscopy. The results are as follows: Firstly, per unit leaf area, Liriope spicata , Ophiopogon japonicus , and Viburnum odoratissimum demonstrate solid dust retention abilities. Additionally, Viburnum odoratissimum , Prunus serrulata var. Lannesiana , and Liriope spicata show strong dust retention abilities per single leaf. Moreover, Platanus acerifolia , Viburnum odoratissimum , and Cinnamomum camphora have strong dust retention abilities per plant. Viburnum odoratissimum , Platanus acerifolia , and Prunus serrulata var. Lannesiana exhibit the most substantial dust retention capacities. Secondly, there is a significant negative correlation between dust retention per plant and the potassium content, while a significant positive correlation is observed with plant height, canopy height, and leaf width. Furthermore, there is a highly significant positive correlation between dust retention per unit leaf area and stomatal length and a highly significant negative correlation with leaf length. The surface microstructure of the blade mainly increases the dust retention capacity of the blade by increasing the friction of the leaf surface. Lastly, specific leaf surface microstructures, such as grooved epidermis and trichomes, enhance plants’ dust retention capacity. Consequently, for the future configuration of road green spaces in Nanjing, a mixed planting mode of trees, shrubs, and grass is recommended. Priority should be given to selecting plants with strong overall dust retention capabilities, such as Platanus acerifolia , Viburnum odoratissimum , and Prunus serrulata var. Lannesiana , to alleviate air pollution, improve the urban ecological environment, and achieve sustainable development.

Keywords: road green spaces; dust retention amount; particulate matter; leaf surface microstructure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/2/917/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/2/917/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:917-:d:1323641

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().