Middlesex University is to undertake a three-year research study into the effect of plants on improving air quality - the first project funded by the Mayor of London's Air Quality Fund. Working in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council, the University's School of Science and Technology has built walls made of plants at Warren School, a secondary school in the borough, and will use these to study the efficiency of such 'green walls' at reducing harmful particles from the environment. Following a 2010 study commissioned by London Mayor Boris Johnson, it was estimated that more than 4,000 deaths per year in the capital are caused by the microscopic airborne particles emitted in exhaust fumes. Much has been made of the potential of green walls to help reduce these harmful pollutants as it is known that these particles stick to the leaves of plants, and the Middlesex green wall project will contribute to the body of data surrounding this theory. Built alongside a busy road in the grounds of the school, the walls will be used to study whether their angle or height affects the number of particles captured by the plants. Five different plants have been chosen to compare their impact against one another, while a comparison will also be made against a naturally growing hedge to enable a cost benefit analysis. The first year of the study, which is being carried out by MSc Environmental Health student Alan Nichols and supervised by Senior Biosciences Lecturer Dr Dirk Wildeboer, will look specifically at the effectiveness of green walls in reducing two major road traffic pollutants: PM10 and NO2. "One of the objectives of our research is to be open-minded about it and generate more scientific data to see how good green walls are in mitigating air pollution and if they offer value for money," explains Dr Wildeboer. "We know that PM10 and NO2 particles stick to the leaves, but what happens afterwards? Some molecules might be absorbed by the plants and others get washed off when it rains and go into the soil. "However, they could get washed off onto concrete and then when it dries potentially be re-suspended in the air." During the first phase of the study, leaf clippings will be collected every five weeks and brought to the laboratory where they are washed so the particles are suspended in water. In early 2015 the study will be complete and the first phase of the project will come to an end. The School of Science and Technology will then involve other students in the project to collect more data and carry out research into different areas – such as the impact of the particles on the soil around the green wall.
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Pete Henchey replied to T &T gardening services ltd's discussion Mulching Mowers
"Ah ok thanks for the advice"
44 minutes ago
Si Al updated their profile
16 hours ago
Billybop replied to Adam Woods's discussion Coming to a large garden near you!!
"yes these robots are most welcome to take any of my lawn jobs"
18 hours ago
David Benson replied to Adam Woods's discussion Coming to a large garden near you!!
"very good but there will still be a need for the strimmer and lawn edgers "
21 hours ago
Adam Woods posted a discussion
Yesterday I went to a client to see this - there are two of them, and have been sold to keep their 2 acres of lawn comprising of 3 massive lawns, with hills,scattered trees and shrubs, together with a traditional square lawn near.  the house. TO cut…
yesterday
Graham Taylor replied to Ag's discussion PA1/6 Applying Bacteria based Moss killers for Lawns
"Just do it................ commonsense says its ok even if mindless bureaucracy suggests not. .  If we've got it wrong, whoever is going to report you +  its not as though you'll be going to prison! "
yesterday
Vicky Braddock and Cameron Price joined Landscape Juice Network
yesterday
Cameron Price updated their profile
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
In the world of football, the quality of the playing surface can make a significant difference in the game's outcome and the overall experience for players and spectators alike.While top-tier stadiums often boast pristine pitches, grassroots clubs…
yesterday
Liam Healy posted a discussion
**Posted with admin (Henry’s) permission - Thank you, Henry.** I am selling a custom chipper and trailer set-up. Ideal for small/one person landscaping/gardening. The narrow access means it can pass through most side/garden gates and you can chip…
Tuesday
Peter sellers replied to T &T gardening services ltd's discussion Mulching Mowers
"We tried the grin but massively overpriced, the mulching performance no better than our 537HRX HY'S, not tried the Etesia but the HRX gives us the ability to collect when we need to without messing about with mulch plugs or swapping blades"
Tuesday
Pete Henchey replied to T &T gardening services ltd's discussion Mulching Mowers
"Thanks Peter, so do you have experience with the Etesia and Grin mulching machines?"
Tuesday
Gary R replied to Ag's discussion PA1/6 Applying Bacteria based Moss killers for Lawns
"I'd say no. Unless it's a herbacide or pestercide I don't think you'd need a PA1 / PA6"
Monday
Billybop replied to Andrew Betteridge's discussion Ego hedgecutter recall in Australia
"Cheers for the heads up Andrew, am a big fan of some of the Ego kit, but even without the safety issue the performance of that design of hedge trimmer is totally underwhelming anyhow"
Monday
Andrew Betteridge posted a discussion
Some Ego hedgecutters have been recalled in Australia due to starting unexpectedly. https://7news.com.au/news/ego-power-cordless-brushless-hedge-trimme...
Monday
Si Al liked Adam Woods's discussion Box blight?
Monday
More…