Phytoremediation Techniques for Indoor Air Quality Improvement

Phytoremediation harnesses the natural capacities of plants and their associated microorganisms to remove, degrade or immobilise airborne contaminants within enclosed spaces. Two main approaches prevail: passive systems, in which potted plants or green walls rely on natural air movement and plant metabolism to capture pollutants; and active systems, where mechanical air flow is directed through biofilter substrates and vegetation to enhance contaminant contact. Aboveground foliage—the phyllosphere—adsorbs particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), while root-zone processes in the rhizosphere foster microbial degradation of absorbed pollutants. System configuration, plant species selection and environmental parameters such as light, humidity and temperature all influence removal efficiency. In practice, passive potted plants offer low-cost, low-energy benefits in domestic and office settings, whereas active green walls can attain single-pass removal efficiencies exceeding 50 % for target VOCs. Recent advances in understanding plant–microbe synergy, leaf surface chemistry and substrate engineering have extended the range of addressable pollutants to include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and fine particulate matter. The global significance of indoor phytoremediation rests on reducing chemical exposures in workplaces, schools and dwellings while integrating biophilic design principles that promote occupant well-being.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Phytoremediation Techniques for Indoor Air Quality Improvement publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytoremediation techniques for indoor air quality improvement across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phytoremediation: The use of living plants and their associated microorganisms to remove or neutralise pollutants from air.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Organic chemicals that readily evaporate at room temperature and can adversely affect human health and comfort.

Biofiltration: An active remediation process in which contaminated air is passed through a living filtration medium containing plants and substrate.

Phyllosphere: The aboveground surfaces of plants, particularly leaves, that interact directly with airborne contaminants.

Rhizosphere: The soil region immediately surrounding plant roots, inhabited by microorganisms that contribute to pollutant degradation.

References

1. Phytoremediation for the indoor environment: a state-of-the-art review. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology (2023).
2. Reducing CO2 level in the indoor urban built environment: Analysing indoor plants under different light levels. Cleaner Engineering and Technology (2023).
3. A review of plants formaldehyde metabolism: Implications for hazardous emissions and phytoremediation. Journal of Hazardous Materials (2022).
4. Testing the single-pass VOC removal efficiency of an active green wall using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health (2017).