Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental study on variations of CO2 concentration in the presence of indoor plants and respiration of experimental animals

  • Research Report
  • Published:
Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aims to suggest an improved experimental method to reveal the ability of indoor plants to reduce CO2 concentrations, as well as to display the individual CO2 reduction characteristics of various indoor plants in accordance with this improved method. In previous studies, experiments were conducted under the condition in which the CO2 concentration in the experimental chamber is set only once to a high initial level of 1,000 ppm. However, in real conditions, CO2 concentration gradually increases in a room after the occupants enter. Hence, the existing experimental method can be improved in view of “light saturation and CO2 compensation”. Accordingly, in this study, the CO2 reduction characteristics of indoor plants under 2 conditions used in the existing method of measurement (Case 1) and the condition in the new method, which considers that CO2 concentration gradually increases through the respiration of experimental animals (Case 2)-were measured and compared against each other. For all plant samples, the level of CO2 reduction was higher in Case 2 than in Case 1, and the rate of CO2 reduction increases with time. The inflection point of CO2 concentration appeared at leaf areas of 9,000 cm2 in peace lily and areca palm, and 6,000 cm2 in weeping fig.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • ASHRAE. 2004. Thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy. ASHRAE Standard 55-2004. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Incorporated, Atlanta, GA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azcón-Bieto, J., G.D. Farquhar, and A. Caballero. 1981. Effects of temperature, oxygen concentration, leaf age and seasonal variations on the CO2 compensation point of Lolium perenne L. Comparison with a mathematical model including non-photorespiratory CO2 production in the light. Planta 152:497–504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, J.C. and T.S. Lin. 2007. Gas exchange in litchi under controlled and filed conditions. Scientia Horticulturae 114:268–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornejo, J.J., F.G. Munoz, C.Y. Ma, and A.J. Stewart. 1999. Studies on the decontamination of air by plants. Ecotoxicology. 8:311–320.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Darlington, A.B., J.F. Dat, and M.A. Dixon. 2001. The biofiltration of indoor air: Air flux and temperature influences the removal of toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. Environ. Sci. Technol. 35: 240–246.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar, G.D., S. von Caemmerer, and J.A. Berry. 1980. A biochemical model of photosynthetic CO2 fixation in C3 species. Planta 149:178–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fujii, S., H. Cha, N. Kagi, H. Miyamura, and Y.S. Kim. 2005. Effects on air pollutant removal by plant absorption and adsorption. Building Environ. 40:105–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giese, M., U.B. Doranth, C. Langebartels, and H. Sandermann. 1994. Detoxification of formaldehyde by the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum L.) and by soybean (Glycine max L.) cell-suspension cultures. Plant Physiol. 104:1301–1309.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Godish, T. and C. Guindon. 1989. An assessment of the botanical air purification as a formaldehyde mitigation measure under dynamic laboratory chamber conditions. Environ. Pollut. 62:13–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S., M. Khare, and R. Goyal. 2007. Sick building syndrome-a case study in a multistory centrally air-conditioned building in the Delhi City. Building Environ. 42:2797–2809.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, A.E. and E.D. Schulze. 1980. Stomatal response to environment and a possible interrelation between stomatal effects on transpiration and CO2 assimilation. Plant Cell Environ. 3:467–474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, S.-W. and K.-J. Bang. 1996. The study on the purification effect of CO2 in interior plants. J. Korean Flower Res. Soc. 5:33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrik, S. 1986. Stomatal-dependent and stomatal-independent uptake of NOx. New Phytol. 103:199–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong, S.-C., H.-M. Jou, T.J. Cho, C.-W. Lee, Y.-T. Jung, and B.-S. Son. 2008. A study of indoor air quality of public facilities in Chung-Nam area. J. Environ. Sanit. Eng. 23:35–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis, P.G. and J.I.L. Morison. 1981. The control of transpiration and photosynthesis by the stomata, p. 247–279. In: P.G. Jarvis and T.A. Mansfield (eds.), Stomatal physiology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, P.L., T.J. Phillips, J.M. Mulberg, and S.P. Hui. 1992. Activity patterns of Californians: Use of and proximity to indoor pollutant sources. Atmos. Environ. 26:2141–2148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeong, G.-H. and T.-Y. Chon. 2006. Study of indoor air quality from the several offices in Busan area. J. Korean Soc. Environ. Anal. 9:7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeong, J.Y., B.K. Lee, and Y.G. Phee. 2007. Assessment of indoor air quality in commercial office buildings. J. Korean Soc. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 17:31–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • KFDA. 2005. Good laboratory practice regulation for nonclinical laboratory studies. Korea Food and Drug Administration (Notification No. 2005-79).

  • Kil, M.J., K.J. Kim, J.K. Cho, and C.H. Park. 2008. Formaldehyde gas removal effects and physiological responses of Fatsia japonica and Epipremnum aureum according to various light intensity. Kor. J. Hort. Sci. Technol. 26:189–196.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y.-S., Y.-H. Yoon, M.-O. Kang, and H.-J. Kang. 1993. Indoor air quality in office buildings. Bull. Inst. Environ. Med. 3:99–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kondo, N. and H. Saji. 1992. Tolerance of plants to air pollutants. J. Jpn. Soc. Air Pollut. 27:273–288.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J.-H. 2004. Human activity level and improvement effect on indoor air quality of ornamental flowering plants to remove carbon dioxide. J. Korean Soc. People Plants Environ. 7:118–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K.-H., Y.-G. Lee, J.-O. Yoon, E.-M. Moon, and J.-G. Jeong. 1995. A field study on indoor air quality and sick building syndrome in office building. J. Archit. Inst. Korea. 11:179–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lohr, V.I. and C.H. Pearson-Mins. 1996. Particulate matter accumulation on horizontal surfaces in interiors: Influence of foliage plants. Atmos. Environ. 30:2565–2568.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mølhave, L. and M. Krzyzanowski. 2003. The right to healthy indoor air: Status by 2002. Indoor Air. 13:50–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mui, K.W., L.T. Wong, and W.L. Ho. 2006. Evaluation on sampling point densities for assessing indoor air quality. Build. Environ. 41:1515–1521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science (NIHHS). 2011. Cultivation techniques of crops for farmers. http://www.nihhs.go.kr/.

  • Orwell, R., R. Wood, J. Tarran, F. Torpy, and M. Burchett. 2004. Removal of benzene by the indoor plant/substrate microcosm and implications for air quality. Water Soil Air Pollut. 157:193–207.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oh, G.-S., G.-J. Jung, and Y.-B. Im. 2009. Experiment on reduction effect of CO2 concentration with indoor plants under illuminance condition in office. J. Reg. Assoc. Archit. Inst. Korea 11:233–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oh, G.-S., G.-J. Jung, and Y.-B. Im. 2010. Experiment study on reduction of CO2 concentration with indoor plant through the occurrence patterns of CO2. J. Archit. Inst. Korea 26:329–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, M.-S., H.-S. Kim, and K.-H. Lee. 2000. A study on CO2 concentration control to improve IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) in office building. J. Korea Facility Manag. Assoc. 2:81–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, S.H., Y.Y. Lee, Y.B. Lee, and G.Y. Bae. 1998. Analysis of factors related to absorption ability of foliage plants exposed to O3. Korea Air Pollut. Res. Assoc. 14:537–543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridge, I. 2008. Plants. 3rd ed. Open University Worldwide, Buckinghamshire, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sekhar, S.C. and C.S. Ching. 2002. Indoor air quality and thermal comfort studies of an under-floor air-conditioning system in the tropics. Energy Buildings 34:431–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sekhar, S.C., K.W. Tham, and K.W. Cheong. 2003. Indoor air quality and energy performance of air-conditioned office buildings in Singapore. Indoor Air. 13:315–331.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen, J.D., O.L. Lange, J. Gebel, W. Beyschlag, and J.A. Weber. 1984. Changes in photosynthetic capacity, carboxylation efficiency, and CO2 compensation point associated with midday stomatal closure and midday depression of net CO2, exchange of leaves of Quercus suber. Planta 162:193–203.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • US EPA. 2011. The inside story: A guide to indoor air quality. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html/.

  • Wargocki, P., L. Lagercrantz, T. Witterseh, J. Sundell, D.P. Wyon, and P.O. Fanger. 2002. Subjective perceptions, symptom intensity and performance: a comparison of two independent studies, both changing similarly the pollution load in an office. Indoor Air. 12:74–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wargocki, P., D.P. Wyon, Y.K. Baik, G. Clausen, and P.O. Fanger. 1999. Perceived air quality, sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms and productivity in an office with two different pollution loads. Indoor Air 9:165–179.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wargocki, P., D.P. Wyon, J. Sundell, G. Clausen, and P.O. Fanger. 2000. The effects of outdoor air supply rate in an office on perceived air quality, sick building syndrome (SBS): Symptoms and productivity. Indoor Air 10:222–236.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winner, W.E. 1994. Mechanistic analysis of plant responses to air pollution. Ecol. Appl. 4:651–661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolkoff, P. 2003. Trends in Europe to reduce the indoor air pollution of VOCs. Indoor Air. 13:5–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolverton, B.C. 1996. Eco-friendly house plants: 50 indoor plants that purify the air in homes and offices. George Weidenfeld & Nicholson, Ltd., London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolverton, B.C., R.C. McDonald, and H.H. Mesick. 1985. Foliage plants for indoor removal of the primary combustion gases carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. J. Miss. Acad. Sci. 30:1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R.A., R.L. Orwell, J. Tarran, F. Torpy, and M. Burchett. 2002. Potted-plant/growth media interactions and capacities for removal of volatiles from indoor air. J. Hort. Sci. Biotechnol. 77:120–129.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe Copenhagen. 2000. Air quality guidelines for Europe, WHO Regional Publications, European Series, No. 91, 2nd ed.

  • Yoo, M.H., Y.J. Kwon, and K.C. Son. 2006. Efficacy of indoor plants for the removal of single and mixed volatile organic pollutants and physiological effects of the volatiles on the plants. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131:452–458.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeiger, E. and C. Field. 1982. Photocontrol of the functional coupling between photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in the intact leaf. Plant Physiol. 70:370–375.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Architecture, College of Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 608-739, Korea

    Geun Sug Oh, Gun Joo Jung, Min Ho Seo & Young Bin Im

Authors
  1. Geun Sug Oh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gun Joo Jung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Min Ho Seo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Young Bin Im
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gun Joo Jung.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Oh, G.S., Jung, G.J., Seo, M.H. et al. Experimental study on variations of CO2 concentration in the presence of indoor plants and respiration of experimental animals. Hortic. Environ. Biotechnol. 52, 321–329 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-011-0169-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-011-0169-6

Additional key words

Search

Navigation