LIQUID TREE

LIQUID3 is an alternative sustainable concept of greening urban environments that are spatially limited and exposed to intense air pollution.

Dr. Ivan Spasojevic, who holds a Ph.D. in Biophysical Sciences and is a co-author from the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research at the University of Belgrade, has invented a new tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality called the "liquid tree," also known as LIQUID 3. This is Serbia's first urban photo-bioreactor that contains 600 liters of water and uses microalgae to capture carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis. The liquid tree is an innovative solution to combat air pollution.

How does it work?

LIQUID3 is an urban photo-bioreactor that uses the power of microalgae to efficiently remove CO2 and produce O2 and biomass. It represents an alternative sustainable concept of greening of urban environments that show limited space and heavy pollution. LIQUID3 replaces one adult tree or 200 m² of lawn and operates during the winter and other climatic conditions. 

Why is it needed?

According to Euronews, Belgrade is the fourth most polluted city in Serbia, due to the two large coal power plants nearby. The two plants are among the top 10 dirtiest plants in Europe, according to the European NGO Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL). In 2019, Serbia ranked as Europe's fifth most polluted country with an average PM 2.5 in air pollution, according to the IQAir's World Air Quality Report. Another report in December 2019 also put the country under increased scrutiny, as scientists claimed Serbia had Europe's worst per capita record for pollution-related deaths: 175 per 100,000 people. Activists have also claimed that pollution in Serbia and in other parts of the Balkan peninsula is so bad that it can be seen, smelt and even tasted, especially during autumn and winter. 

How does it improve life?

Belgrade has an innovative tool in the fight against dirty air - this so-called "liquid tree". It's Serbia's first urban photo-bioreactor, a solution for tackling greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. It contains six hundred litres of water and uses microalgae to bind carbon dioxide and produce pure oxygen through photosynthesis. “The microalgae replaces two, 10-year-old trees or 200 square metres of lawn," said Dr Ivan Spasojevic, one of the authors of the project from the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research at the University of Belgrade. "The system is the same because both trees and grass perform photosynthesis and bind carbon dioxide. The machinery seems as a bench and can provide a sitting for 3-4 people, this will help pedestrians to have some rest, they can also charge their smartphones with the installation. 

What do you think are these liquid 3, going to replace trees in metro cities? Let's do a healthy discussion about this in the comments section. 

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Credits:- UNDP Serbia official youtube channel 

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