Journal of Natural Environment

Investigating the ability of carbon sequestration by plant species located in the green space (Case study: Chadormalu Mining and Industrial Company)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

2 Support and infrastructure manager, Chadormalu Mining and Industrial Complex, Ardakan, Iran.

3 Green space consultant of Chadormalu Mining and Industrial Complex, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

10.22059/jne.2023.360364.2567

Abstract

One of the most important challenges in sustainable development is the increase in the emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, and the subsequent increase in the earth's temperature and climate change. Carbon sequestration by plants is a practical solution to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. During the process of photosynthesis, atmospheric CO2 is absorbed and stored as organic carbon. This study was conducted to measuring the amount of CO2 sequestration in six plant species (Date palm, olive, oleander, eucalyptus, pine and haloxylon) that were cultivated in Chadormalu Mining and Industrial Company. In the soil section, a study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) and the amount of carbon sequestration was measured in seven uses (control area and six plants) and two depths (0-25 and 25-50 cm). The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of land use, depth and their interaction was significant on the amount of sequestration (P< 0.05). The results showed that the carbon sequestration at 0-25 cm was significantly more than 25-50 cm and all plants had more carbon sequestration than the control area, significantly. Pine had the highest amount of sequestration in the soil (24.59 ton.h-1 of CO2), which was significantly more than other plants. The amount of carbon sequestration in the leaves, roots and shoots of six plants was investigated based on a RCBD. The highest amount of sequestration was observed in litter, root and shoot of oleander, pine and date (31, 23.32, and 78.75 ton.h-1 of CO2), respectively. The lowest amount of sequestration was observed in the litter, root and shoot of haloxylon (1.23, 1.94 and 19.6 ton.h-1 of CO2, respectively). The results showed that the maximum amount of total carbon sequestration in the parts of the soil, litter, root and shoot observed in pine (161.39 ton.h-1) that was significantly higher than other plants. The lowest amount of total carbon sequestration observed in the haloxylon (52.3 ton.h-1). According to the results of this study, pine has the highest carbon dioxide sequestration capacity among the investigated plants and is recommended as a suitable plant for cultivation in the green space of similar areas. It seems that by choosing plants compatible with the climate, soil and water conditions of the region, while creating a suitable green space, it is possible to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and improve the air quality.

Keywords

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Journal of Natural Environment
Volume 76, Issue 4
March 2024
Pages 619-630