Indoor CO₂ phytoremediation using ornamental plants: A case study in Gresik, Indonesia

Nowadays, people tend to spend more time indoor, especially in the home and office environment. Indoor air pollution such as CO₂ is prevalent in domestic rooms because it is emitted mostly from human metabolism and daily activities such as cooking. This study aims to examine the change of CO₂ concentration in the office of company providing logistic services located in Gresik (Indonesia) as a response to phytoremediation and evaluate the effectiveness of selected ornamental plants in controlling CO₂ level. The study employed two plants species namely Maranta leuconeura E. Morren and Epipremnum aureum (Linden & André) G. S. Bunting to be placed in the first floor whereas the similar rooms in second floor were used as a control (without plants). The CO₂ level in all rooms have previously been measured and compared to quality standard. The required quantity of each plant was calculated based on CO₂ pollution load, office dimension, and CO₂ removal rate of plants. The presence of plants did not reduce CO₂ levels in the studied offices. In none of the offices with plants CO₂ concentrations dropped to the recommended levels. However, the plants maintained relatively stable CO₂ concentrations, unlike offices without plants, where the concentrations fluctuated and single peaks of increased concentrations were recorded. Room characteristics, exposure to sunlight, placement location of plants, and other external factors may affect efficiency of indoor phytoremediation.