Biosolar green roofs and ambient air pollution in city centres: Mixed results

Abstract

Green roofs are known for their ability to reduce ambient air pollution. While the accurate valuation of the air pollution removal services provided by green roofs is rapidly developing, much of this research is still in its infancy, with only a small number of in-situ studies that truly examine the impact of green roofs on city air quality. In this study we present the longest study conducted on an Australian green roof with in-situ air quality monitoring. Field measurements were utilised to calculate the ambient air pollutant removal of an extensive green roof compared to a proximal, near-identical conventional roof over three seasons. The average concentrations of ambient ozone was lower on the green roof compared to that of the conventional roof surface. The theoretical ozone and nitrogen dioxide removal rates on the green roof were higher than the average concentrations calculated from previous research at 3.82 g m-2y-1 and 1.29 g m-2y-1 respectively. There was no significant difference in the average suspended particulate matter concentrations between the two roofs. The particulate matter removal rate was lower than the average previous findings at 0.29 g m-2y-1. The green roof studied was theoretically capable of removing 0.5 kg of PM2.5, 6.9 kg of O3 and 2.3 kg of NO2 per year, values which were significantly higher than the conventional roof. Ambient nitrogen dioxide concentrations were higher on the green roof – largely attributed to local construction activities.