The filtering effect of large-scale green contributes to improving air quality at the regional level. Forests are especially suitable for reducing background concentrations before the pollution even reaches the city. By providing as much leaf volume as possible in an area as big as possible, the general air quality can improve. Particulate matter is only captured at the edges and tops of a forest, but because they usually cover a large surface area, they are very effective.
Bigger trees and more leaf area are more effective at cleaning the air. An average tree in the city (with a trunk diameter of +/- 30 cm) is able to capture about 100g particulate matter (PM10) while a mature tree captures as much as 1.4kg in the Netherlands. 100g PM10 equals the particulate matter emission from a private car that travels 1,500 km. 1.4kg PM10 equals 20,000 km. The porosity of the canopy should be above 50% so the leaves inside the canopy can also help. Combine trees with broad canopies and undergrowth of herbaceous plants and shrubs to have effective leaves at all levels. Green roofs and green walls also contribute to air filtering.
Trees and vegetation in urban landscapes provide noticeable benefits on a local scale. Some gaseous air pollution such as nitrous oxide (NOX), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) are absorbed by the stomata of leaves. Deciduous trees with a large leaf volume are most effective.
In practice, vegetation has limited benefit for reducing citywide concentrations of nitrous dioxide (NO2), despite scientific studies reporting the ability of plants to capture NO2. However, in the still, polluted air created by street canyons, increased planting at street level can reduce NO2 levels by as much as 40% and particulate matter by as much as 60%.
Organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), dioxins and furans are taken up by the cuticles of leaves (even at night). Ozone (O3) concentrations are reduced in the presence of trees as a result of direct ozone absorption and increased humidity and lower temperatures that reduce ozone formation.
Include a mix of evergreen and deciduous tree species in the design with different characteristics so that many benefits are achieved. Include green at different heights / levels for ground to canopy benefits. Particulate matter (PM10) is captured on the surface of leaves, called impaction, and travels to the ground through wind, rainwater or fallen leaves. At ground level, particulates are either washed away with runoff or fixed in the soil by organic decomposition. Conifers are most effective because of the large surface area of needles and the fact that the trees keep their needles all year round.
Avoid using any tree species that are sensitive to air pollution (NOX) and limit the use of trees which emit biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC).
Green on roof gardens and green walls contributes to removing pollutants from the air. Cool air flowing down off green roofs and walls encourages air movement at street level and contributes to dispersal of pollutants.
Green roofs, with careful plant selection, can remove 70-85kg ha -1 of aerial pollutants per annum. Citywide planning offers the capacity for green roofs to represent as much as 32% of the horizontal surface area of the urban landscape. Plant capacity varies due to differences in micro-and macro-morphology: the grasses Agrostis stolonifera and Festuca rubra are more effective than the broadleaves Plantago lanceolata and Sedum album at capturing PM10. In general, intensive green roofs have a higher impact than extensive green roofs.
Green walls planted with vines have a very dense leaf area per square metre and thus are good in removing PM10. A wall with Parthenocissus tricuspidata can catch 4g of PM10 per m2 of wall and Hedera helix can catch 6g.
Use trees and plants to reduce background concentrations of air pollution. All plants contribute to the improvement of air quality. Some species are more effective than others.
SO2, NOx, O3 | PM10 | VOC | |
---|---|---|---|
Method | absorption | impaction | adsorption |
Best tree type | broad leaved evergreen trees | conifer trees (evergreen) | conifer trees |
Leaf characteristics | flat, wide, glossy leaves | cone-shaped needles | needles with a fatty top layer (cuticle) |
Other good tree types | deciduous trees | deciduous trees | |
Leaf characteristics | flat, wide, glossy leaves | course, hairy, sticky leaves |