RESUMEN
As global air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), has become a major environmental problem, various PM2.5 mitigation technologies including green infrastructure have received significant attention. However, owing to spatial constraints on urban greening, there is a lack of management plans for urban forests to efficiently mitigate PM2.5. In this study, we assessed the PM2.5 reduction capabilities of Pinus densiflora (Korean red pine) and Quercus acutissima (sawtooth oak) by measuring the changes of PM2.5 concentrations using an experimental chamber system. In addition, the PM2.5 reduction efficiency in 90 min (PMRE90) and the amount of PM2.5 reduction per leaf area (PMRLA) were compared based on arrangement structures and density levels. The results showed that the PM2.5 reduction by plants was significantly greater than that of the control experiment without any plants, and an additional reduction effect of approximately 1.38 times was induced by a 1.5 m s-1 air flow. The PMRE90 of Korean red pine was the highest at medium density. In contrast, the PMRE90 of sawtooth oak was the highest at high density. The PMRLA of both species was highest at low densities. The different responses of the species to total reduction were well explained by total leaf area (TLA). The PMRE90 of both species was positively correlated with TLA. The PMRLA of sawtooth oak was approximately 2.3 times greater than that of Korean red pine. However, there were no significant differences in both PMRE90 and PMRLA between the arrangement structures. Our findings reveal the potential mechanisms of vegetation in reducing PM2.5 according to arrangement structure and density. This highlights the importance of efficiently using urban green spaces with spatial constraints on PM2.5 mitigation in the future.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Atmosféricos , Pinus , Quercus , Árboles/química , Material Particulado/análisis , República de Corea , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisisRESUMEN
Owing to industrialization and urbanization in recent decades, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere has become a major environmental problem worldwide. This environmental issue pushed the use of forests as air filtering tools. However, there is a lack of continuous and long-term forest management to efficiently mitigate PM2.5. In this study, we assessed the potential of different forest types to control air pollution by measuring the seasonal PM2.5 concentrations inside and outside the forest for one year. In addition, the PM2.5 reduction efficiencies (PMREs) of two forest types were compared, and their relationship with stand characteristics was analyzed. The results showed that the average PMRE inside the forests was approximately 18.2%; the seasonal PMRE was highest in winter (approximately 28.1%) and lowest in summer (approximately 9.6%). The average PMRE of the Taehwa deciduous broad-leaved forest (TDF) (approximately 18.8%) was significantly higher than that of the Taehwa coniferous forest (TCF) (approximately 17.5%) (P < 0.001); differences were also observed seasonally. The PMRE in the TCF was higher in spring and summer (P < 0.001), while that in the TDF was higher in autumn and winter (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the PMRE in the TDF was negatively correlated with stand density (P = 0.003) and positively correlated with the average diameter at breast height (DBH) (P = 0.028). However, the PMRE in the TCF did not significantly correlate with stand characteristics. As such, the results of this study revealed the differences in PM2.5 mitigation according to stand characteristics, which should be considered in urban forest management.