Green Roof Co2 Absorption

Green roofs are sprouting up more and more on buildings.

Green roof co2 absorption.

Green roofs reduce stormwater runoff mitigate urban heat island effects absorb dust and smog sequester carbon dioxide produce oxygen create space for food production and provide natural. Air pollution is a relative new topic area 15 papers 4 which includes findings on carbon dioxide co 2 sequestration. And 3 computer simulation of. Green roofs offset global warming study finds.

A study presented at the green roofs for healthy cities conference in june 2004 cited by the epa found water runoff was reduced by over 75 during rainstorms. Such as the ability to absorb carbon dioxide reduce stormwater runoff limit heat absorption and provide habitats for insects birds. Like any forested or vegetation covered area a patch of green on top of a roof should theoretically lower levels of carbon dioxide in the air. 1 field measurement of the difference of co 2 concentration at a location in the middle of the plants in a small plot of green roof and one in the surrounding area 2 experiments to measure the plant s co 2 absorption velocity and emission rate using a sealed glass chamber.

Green roofs can make a big contribution to reducing co 2 emissions. Water is stored by the roof s substrate and. In 2010 a review of green roof runoff water quantity and. The co2 absorption rate of a plant in the daytime was much higher compared with the co2 emission rate at night providing the green roof ability to reduce the co2 concentration in the nearby region.

By also accounting for absorption in the roots and growing medium the total absorption is assumed to be many times greater. Green roofs can reduce stormwater runoff via water wise gardening techniques. Green roofs not only help reduce the urban heat island effect by covering conventional dark roofing surfaces with vegetation which absorbs less heat but they also use solar radiation to evaporate water from the growing media and transpire the absorption of water through a plants roots and release of it through its leaves as a vapor moisture. Experimental studies have shown that an extensive sedum roof can absorb approximately 1 2 kg of co 2 m 2 year in the plants themselves.

The study comprises three parts.