The Role of Plants in Phytoremediation of Particulate Matter and Other Air Pollutants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Physiology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 8889

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
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
Interests: air pollution; phytoremediation; environment; ecology; urban sciences
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
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
Interests: air pollution; phytoremediation; environment; ecology; urban sciences
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last few decades, major changes have taken place in human surroundings that were not associated with a concern for the environment. Therefore, now, the priority for city planners of urban spaces should be to ensure optimal living conditions. One of the most dangerous inhaled pollutants is particulate matter (PM). If pollutants have been emitted to the atmosphere, the only possible method to clean the air is via environmental biotechnology—phytoremediation.

Today, the importance of air quality is a topic in which it is extremely important to invest in terms of research activities. This Special Issue of Plants will highlight the importance of vegetation planted along communication routes, cities, and other urbanized areas in reducing and accumulating particulate matter and other air pollutants.

The research proposed in this Special Issue of Plants will make a significant contribution to the development of phytoremediation technology. This may result in the development of appropriate recommendations for the phytoremediation of air pollution in urban areas and the development of “green tools” for landscape architects and road engineers. Thanks to this, it will be possible to reduce the level of particulate matter, heavy metals, microplastics, and other pollutants in the air, while maintaining the right balance between the economy and improving the quality of life of urban residents. We cordially invite you to create with us this unique Special Issue which will contribute to the dissemination of your research results around the world.

Dr. Robert Popek
Dr. Arkadiusz Przybysz
Dr. Adrian Łukowski
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • air pollution
  • particulate matter
  • PM
  • phytoremediation
  • plants
  • trees
  • shrubs
  • herbaceous plants
  • stress factors

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2494 KiB  
Article
Variability in Water Capacity of Small-Leaved Linden Associated with Both the Presence of Honeydew and Various Sources of Pollution
by Agata Kwika, Anna Klamerus-Iwan and Anna Sadowska-Rociek
Plants 2023, 12(19), 3443; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193443 - 29 Sep 2023
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Abstract
The process of water retention on the surface of the assimilation apparatus of plants is inextricably linked with the water capacity of tree crowns and depends mainly on the condition of the leaf itself. The main objective of the present study was to [...] Read more.
The process of water retention on the surface of the assimilation apparatus of plants is inextricably linked with the water capacity of tree crowns and depends mainly on the condition of the leaf itself. The main objective of the present study was to investigate how the honeydew coverage and the location of trees related to the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affected the differences in the capability of small-leaved linden leaves to capture water. Honeydew coverage was determined with the use of AutoCAD, whereas the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was determined using gas chromatography. The value of S (water capacity) was much lower before the appearance of honeydew on the leaf than at the peak moment of honeydew collection. This is due to the hydrophobic properties of the substance. It was also found that the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in leaves varied depending on the distance of trees from pollution sources, and it was found that the amount of PAHs increased with the growth of honeydew on leaves and in locations exposed to pollution. The highest S and the total amount of PAHs occurred with the combination of the largest amount of pyrogenic impurities with the highest amount of honeydew. Combing pollutants from the air by plants is a very important function, but it may also change the physical properties of leaves, such as wettability. Full article
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Review

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27 pages, 23968 KiB  
Review
Breathing Fresh Air in the City: Implementing Avenue Trees as a Sustainable Solution to Reduce Particulate Pollution in Urban Agglomerations
by Mamun Mandal, Robert Popek, Arkadiusz Przybysz, Anamika Roy, Sujit Das and Abhijit Sarkar
Plants 2023, 12(7), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071545 - 3 Apr 2023
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7256
Abstract
The issue of air pollution from particulate matter (PM) is getting worse as more and more people move into urban areas around the globe. Due to the complexity and diversity of pollution sources, it has long been hard to rely on source control [...] Read more.
The issue of air pollution from particulate matter (PM) is getting worse as more and more people move into urban areas around the globe. Due to the complexity and diversity of pollution sources, it has long been hard to rely on source control techniques to manage this issue. Due to the fact that urban trees may provide a variety of ecosystem services, there is an urgent need to investigate alternative strategies for dramatically improving air quality. PM has always been a significant concern due to its adverse effects on humans and the entire ecosystem. The severity of this issue has risen in the current global environmental context. Numerous studies on respiratory and other human disorders have revealed a statistical relationship between human exposure to outdoor levels of particles or dust and harmful health effects. These risks are undeniably close to industrial areas where these airborne, inhalable particles are produced. The combined and individual effects of the particle and gaseous contaminants on plants’ general physiology can be detrimental. According to research, plant leaves, the primary receptors of PM pollution, can function as biological filters to remove significant amounts of particles from the atmosphere of urban areas. This study showed that vegetation could provide a promising green infrastructure (GI) for better air quality through the canopy and leaf-level processes, going beyond its traditional role as a passive target and sink for air pollutants. Opportunities exist for urban GI as a natural remedy for urban pollution caused by PMs. Full article
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