Removal Potential of Particulate Matter of 12 Woody Plant Species for Landscape Planting

Background and objective: Particulate matter (PM) is one of the serious environmental problems and threatens human health. Plants can clean the air by removing PM from the atmosphere. This study was carried out to investigate the PM removal efficiency of 12 species of woody plants. Methods: Actinidia arguta, Dendropanax morbiferus, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Pittosporum tobira, Rhaphiolepis indica, Rhapis, Salix integra, Salix koreensis, Schisandra chinensis, Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki, and Vitis coignetiae were used as plant material. Six 15 cm (D) pots were placed in an acrylic chamber of 800 (D) × 800 (W) × 1000 (H) mm. The LED panel was used as a light source. The reduction of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 for 300 minutes after the injection of PM was automatically measured. Results: The leaf area and the amount of PM in the chamber showed a negative correlation. 12 species of plants were compared by dividing the plants into 3 groups according to their characteristics: vines, trees, and shrubs and small trees. In the vine plant group, the averages of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were 7.917%, 8.796%, and 30.275%, respectively. In the shrubs and small trees group, the average of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were 10.142%, 11.133%, and 36.448%, respectively. In the trees group, the average of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were 11.475%, 12.892%, and 40.421%, respectively. When the initial concentration was 100%, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 of Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki with the largest leaf area were 5.6%, 6.3%, and 21.0% after 5 hours, respectively, the best results among 12 species of plants. Conclusion: The vine plant group was more effective in removing PM than the other two groups. In the tree groups, the fact that the leaf development was relatively inactive at a plant height of 30 cm was considered to have an effect on the removal of particulate matter.