Impacts of Living walls and roofs on Air quality particularly relating to Airport Emission

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my thanks to my advisor, for his suggestions, comments, patience and understanding. Very special thanks to my parents, my father, my mother, my brother and my sister who were continuously supporting me throughout my life and leaving me free in all my decisions. I would also like to thank my colleagues for his technical support whenever I needed. I would like to thank to Department, all the university managers, teachers and students with whom I have worked.

I certify that the work presented in the dissertation is my own unless referenced

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DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Impervious surfaces are dominant features of the urban landscape and include roads, parking lots, building walls and rooftops. These surfaces absorb solar radiation and have an infiltration capacity close to zero, in contrast to the original vegetated habitat, thereby intensifying several urban environmental issues such as increasing volume and decreasing quality of storm water runoff, loss of floral and faunal diversity, and the urban heat island effect. One solution to mitigate the impacts of conventional building rooftops in cities is to convert them into green roofs. Green roofing involves adding vegetation and growing medium to the roof surface of buildings over a series of root barrier and waterproofing membranes. The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of living walls and roofs on air quality particularly relating to airport emission particularly at or around Heathrow Airport. This study involves analysis of first hand data collected from the Terminal 2 of the London Heathrow Airport. The analysis of the data will reveal the significance of vegetation in the surrounding areas of the airport to reduce harmful emissions generated from the aircraft and the other services at the airport.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1Aims and Objectives2

1.1.1Aims:2

1.1.2Objectives:2

1.2Research Purpose2

1.3Background of living walls and roofs3

1.2.1Types of Living Walls5

1.2.2Types of Green roofs7

1.4Potential ability to reduce pollution8

1.5Impact on air quality8

CHAPTER 2:RESEARCH AREA METHODOLOGY9

2.1Infrastructure of living walls and roofs9

2.2Good air quality parameters10

2.3Air Quality around Airports10

2.2.1Concentration highest around airports11

2.2.2Health Impacts11

2.2.3Possible Solutions12

2.4Air quality around Heathrow Airport12

2.3.1Pollutants of concern in the Heathrow area15

2.3.1.1Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)15

2.3.1.2Potential effects on health and the environment from NOx and NO216

2.3.1.3Particles (PM10 and PM2.5)16

2.3.1.4Potential effects on health and the environment from particles16

2.5Data Collected from Different Sites of Heathrow Airport17

2.6Use of Plants and Vegetations to Clean Air pollution from Heathrow Airport17

CHAPTER 3: IMPLEMENTATION OF LIVING WALLS AND ROOFS AROUND HEATHROW AREA19

3.1Impact on air quality specifically19

3.2Positive and negative effects of Green Roofs and Living Walls21

3.2.1Advantages & Benefits21

2.3.1.5Air & Water Quality Improvement21

2.3.1.6Energy Conservation21

2.3.1.7Increased Roof Life22

2.3.1.8Reduced Noise Pollution22

2.3.1.9Aesthetic Value22

2.3.1.10Increased Biodiversity23

2.3.1.11Social Benefits23

3.2.2Disadvantages, Problem Areas, and Costs23

3.2.2.1Load-bearing Demands24

3.2.2.2Water Damage24

3.2.2.3Initial Installation & Maintenance Costs24

3.3Actual problems25

3.4Residual pros and cons of Living walls and roofs in Heathrow area25

CHAPTER 3: METHOD26

CHAPTER 4: ...