Physiological Investigations of the Plants Involved in Air Biofiltration: Study Case

Gabriela Soreanu (), Catalin Tanase, Constantin Mardari, Dragos Lucian Gorgan and Igor Cretescu ()
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Gabriela Soreanu: “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73 D. Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania
Catalin Tanase: Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Carol I 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
Constantin Mardari: “Anastasie Fatu” Botanical Garden, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, 7-9 Dumbrava Rosie, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Dragos Lucian Gorgan: Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Carol I 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
Igor Cretescu: “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73 D. Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: In this study, the behavior of an aerial plant ( Tillandsia xerographica ) during air biofiltration was investigated by monitoring the trend of the CO 2 concentration in the processed air as a response to a change in the environmental conditions. In this regard, a botanical biofilter equipped with T. xerographica was continuously operated with ambient air for about three weeks under different light intensity, air flow rate, ambient temperature, and relative humidity. The plant was able to decrease the CO 2 concentration in the processed gas in both the presence/absence of light, as long as a regular alternate day/night regime was kept, this behavior being attributed to its specific plant metabolism. Overall, plant physiology under the influence of the above mentioned factors is pointed out, which in turn reveals the plant potential in urban air biofiltration, with the possibility to further address not only the carbon dioxide removal but also other trace gaseous contaminants in ambient air as well, improving the air quality and reducing the health risks associated with exposure to polluted air. Therefore, further modeling and optimization of this process, along with the investigation of the plant’s response under different contaminated environments, is expected to significantly contribute to the development of new such versatile biofilters for air treatment.

Keywords: air biofiltration; aerial plants; CO 2 capture; plant physiology; biofilter; plant metabolism (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: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:4:p:1529-:d:1337335

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