Characterization of particulate matter deposition on leaves of six native plant species in a green infrastructure system in the city of Monterrey, México

This study examined the effectiveness of green roofs and living walls in reducing air pollution in urbanized, warm and semi-arid areas with consistently high levels of suspended particulate matter (PM). Six plant species (Aptenia cordifolia, Sedum reflexum, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Pennisetum setaceum, Lavandula angustifolia and Dahlia pinnata) were evaluated for their ability to capture PM. The analytical phases included a comparison of the retention capacity of particles in the air by sampling the leaves and their gravimetric analysis in the laboratory during a period of seventy days. Finally, scanning electron microscopy was carried out to establish the types of particles present in the sampled leaves and the morphological differences of their surface. The results showed that Sedum reflexum had the highest retention capacity for PM, while Dahlia pinnata had the lowest. These findings suggest that certain plant species can effectively mitigate air pollution and remove significant amounts of PM and could potentially be used in green roofs and living walls to improve air quality in cities with similar weather conditions.

Automated summary

This study examined the effectiveness of green roofs and living walls in reducing air pollution in urban areas. The results showed that certain plant species can effectively capture suspended particulate matter and potentially improve air quality.