Evaluación del comportamiento del CO2 en espacios cerrados en presencia de plantas de la especie vegetal “lengua de suegra” (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Abstract

Residents of urban areas stay around 80% of their time in indoor spaces, where air quality has a relevant influence on health and job performance; specifically, CO2 is recognized as an indicator pollutant of indoor air quality, and a good ventilation. The pursuit of excellence in indoor environments, with conditions that satisfy the occupants, and reduce the symptoms of diseases related to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), has promoted research on the use of plants as biological filters to purify the air. The CO2 capture capacity by Sansevieria trifasciata, in a controlled system through a sealed chamber, was evaluated in this research. Total plant leaf area was calculated fortnightly for six months using image overlay, whose processing and digitalization was made with the AutoCAD® program, version 3.4.0.4. The CO2 absorption, temperature and humidity were tested within the test chamber at different light levels. With the set of data obtained for leaf area and perimeter, it was possible to determine the relative growth percentage over the sampled time, obtaining an average variation in leaf area of 10,95% and 7,20% for perimeter. Regarding CO2 absorption, a reduction of the initial concentration of 24,25% was achieved using S. trifasciata, during six hours under artificial light conditions of approximately 500 lux; however, in dark conditions and at 5922, 8825 and 10395 lux, an increase in the initial CO2 concentration was observed. Finally, based on the absorption results obtained, a model was proposed using an equation of order two, facilitating decision making regarding the applicability of this pollutant mitigation strategy in closed spaces with conditions like those studied.