Bryophytes for the linear barrier as a PM2.5 mitigation technology in the urban landscape

Juta Kārkliņa; Edgars Kārkliņš; Lilita Ābele; Līga Strazdiņa

doi:10.22616/j.landarchart.2024.24.06

Authors

Juta Kārkliņa Centre for Nature and Engineering, RTU Liepaja Academy, Latvia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8039-8096
Edgars Kārkliņš Centre for Nature and Engineering, RTU Liepaja Academy, Latvia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1920-594X
Lilita Ābele Centre for Nature and Engineering, RTU Liepaja Academy, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8709-2363
Līga Strazdiņa Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4722-7531

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22616/j.landarchart.2024.24.06

Keywords:

green infrastructure, urban landscape, air pollution, pollution mitigation, linear barriers

Abstract

Air pollution has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a global problem, resulting in 9-12 million deaths annually, and particulate matter is the most severe threat to human health. Particulate matter can be distinguished by its size, as PM2.5 has a diameter of 2.5 μm or less, meaning that these tiny dust particles are invisible to the naked eye. Various solutions are being sought for the problem of air pollution, which resonate with landscape architecture solutions, such as Green Infrastructure and linear (vertical) barriers. They are being researched as an effective nature-based solution to the growing air pollution problem that organically blends into the urban landscape. Evaluations of various plants for their pollution abatement potential highlight bryophytes as particularly effective due to their high absorption capacity, and to ensure the sustainability of the linear barrier, cultivation under controlled conditions is recommended. This paper investigates the cultivation of bryophytes under controlled conditions and identifies the most effective moss species during a practical experiment. This experiment and paper are part of a larger, more extensive study on air pollution reduction using bryophytes, and the research described in this paper is instrumental in future research. The assessed bryophyte species will be further investigated for their ability to absorb air pollution PM2.5. This paper uses research methods such as literature analysis and a laboratory experiment conducted between January and April 2024.

Author Biographies

Juta Kārkliņa, Centre for Nature and Engineering, RTU Liepaja Academy, Latvia

Scientific research Intern at Laboratory of Physics and Chemistry of the Environment and Space (LPC2E), Orleans, France and Masters Ecotechnologies student at Riga Technical University Liepaja Academy, Latvia with research interests in ecosystem services, circular economy, air pollution mitigation and engineering technologies for the environment. Currently working on experiments with bryophytes’ various ecosystem services for urban environments.

Edgars Kārkliņš, Centre for Nature and Engineering, RTU Liepaja Academy, Latvia

Currently enrolled in air pollution chamber experiments in the Laboratory of Physics and Chemistry of the Environment and Space (LPC2E), Orleans, France, in an internship and working on a master’s thesis in the Ecotechnologies program of Riga Technical University Liepaja Academy, Latvia. The research field is circular economy thinking for environmental technologies and air pollution mitigation nature-based solutions.

Lilita Ābele, Centre for Nature and Engineering, RTU Liepaja Academy, Latvia

PhD, lecturer and researcher at the Riga Technical University Liepaja Academy In the Science and Engineering Center, Liepaja, Latvia. Head of Environmental direction, director of Master’s programme Ecotechnologies. Sphere of interests - landscape design, circular economy, ecotechnologies, ecosystem services, digitization, smart cities, green innovation, green competitiveness.

Līga Strazdiņa, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Latvia

Dr.biol. and researcher at the Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia. Certified bryophyte, lichen, and vascular plant expert with research interests in bryophyte natural habitat management. Together with other authors, currently enrolled in research on the different applications of bryophytes in several ongoing experiments.

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