Evaluating the Effectiveness of Urban Hedges as Air Pollution Barriers: Importance of Sampling Method, Species Characteristics and Site Location

• DOI: 10.3390/environments7100081
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01T15:28:57Z
• Authors: Tijana Blanuša; Zeenat Jabeen Qadir; Amanpreet Kaur; James Hadley; Mark B. Gush
• Keywords: Particulate Pollution; Hedge; Deposition

Urban hedgerows can act as barriers to roadside particulate air pollution, but details on methodologies quantify pollutant capture, most efficient species use, and practical planning advice are still evolving. We aimed compare three widely used approaches accumulation deposition, ascertain the cost-effective robust approach for rapid screening of various types hedges. Secondly, using methodology, we screened summertime deposition particulates hedges in Reading (UK), not just with differing leaf surface characteristics, also along a transect hedge depth. Finally, compared particles’ capture by surfaces locations different traffic intensities, try extent reduction concentration urban locations. Results suggest that gravimetric determination was cost-effective, while being least technically demanding. confirmed hairy more complex leaves captured particulates, particularly >10 μm range. However, choice only had significant impact major roads, where concentrations were highest. Furthermore, depths excess 2 m found noticeably reduce fine particles less capacity particulates’ capture. Findings complement growing body knowledge guide landscape planners choosing appropriate mitigate quality contexts.