Carbon Dioxide Uptake of Six Plant Species Under Different Light Intensities

Background and objective: Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is a common indoor air pollutant that can lead to respiratory issues, impaired cognitive function, and increased absenteeism. Plants play a key role in CO 2 absorption through the process of photosynthesis, which is influenced by light intensity. This study aimed to assess the potential of plant species for CO 2 reduction under different light conditions, providing baseline data to optimize their effectiveness in improving indoor air quality.Methods: Six plant species, including three evergreen broad-leaved plants ( Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) W.T.Aiton, Camellia japonica L., Viburnum odoratissimum Ker Gawl. ex Rümpler var. awabuki (K.Koch) Zabel ex Rümpler) and three foliage house plants ( Alocasia sinuata, Monstera deliciosa , and Epipremnum aureum ) were selected to evaluate their CO 2 reduction ability under four different light intensities (10, 40, 80, and 160 μmol m -2 s -1 ). The plants were exposed to light for 11 hours, followed by a 11 hour dark period. A CO 2 cylinder was used to introduce CO 2 into the test chamber, and the CO 2 concentration inside the test chamber was recorded every 10 minutes over a 22-hour period. Net photosynthesis was also measured for each plant species.Results: The CO 2 reduction capacity varied among plant species and light intensities. All six plant species exhibited the highest CO 2 uptake at 160 μmol m -2 s -1 , with uptake decreasing as light intensity decreased. Light intensity had a significant impact on the plants’ CO 2 reduction ability, and CO 2 absorption continued during the dark period. Among the six species, Monstera deliciosa and Epipremnum aureum demonstrated the highest CO 2 uptake.Conclusion: Plants require adequate light intensity for effective CO 2 uptake, making it crucial to examine their ability to assimilate CO 2 , as plant species that emit CO 2 can have a negative impact on health. This will help identify which plant species can absorb CO 2 without raising CO 2 levels, especially in indoor environments where low light conditions are common. This study offers additional insights into the CO 2 absorption capacity of plants, enabling landscape researchers to select suitable species that contribute to balancing and reducing CO 2 concentrations in indoor environments. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal light levels and the right plant species for enhancing CO 2 reduction effects in plants

Biology · Botany · Carbon dioxide · Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols · Chemistry · Environmental Science · Plant responses to elevated CO2 · Vehicle emissions and performance · Ecology · Environmental Chemistry

• Evaluating the Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide Reduction of Four Broad-leaved Evergreen Plants

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