Green roofs can help cities like ton ton microplastics with rain water

The research team at Tongji University collaborated with an associate of Shanghai Academy of Landscape Architecture Science and Planning, finding that growing plants on roofs could be an effective way to remove microplastic from air. In this study, published in Journal Communications Earth and Environment, the team measured the amount of microplastics on plants and soils in which they grow. Previous research has shown that growing plants on roofs can reduce heating and cooling bills, as well as cleaning the air around pollution.

Testing plant type and microplastic risk

As StudyThe research team found whether there is microplastics in growing plants. To know this, he planted two different types of plants, which are used on roofs in Shanghai. In addition, he introduced microplastic particles in the air near those plants at the normal levels found in Shanghai. Researchers then introduced Simulated rainAfter measuring microplastic levels in soil and on plants.

Green roofs trap most microplastics due to rain

They found that the plants did a big job of pulling microplastics from rain as the plants increased through air. The green roof system created by the researchers included a soil layer, which pulled the microplastics from rain water that falls on it to about 97.5%.

Microplastics are mostly captured in the soil, not on the leaves

And after conducting the measurement through several rain, the team came to know that the percentage of microplastics increased further with the intensity of rain.

Researchers found that the leaves were collecting less than microplastics, but the bulk was better deposited in the soil, rather than a fiber -like shape.

Shanghai’s green roof capacity to catch microplastics

The team said that Shanghai currently occupies a roof of only 38.33 million square feet. However, based on their findings, they suggest, it is possible that Shanghai can catch about 56.2 metric tonnes of microplastic every year if the roofs of all buildings were made green.