Liquid Tree: An Innovative Solution to Combat Air Pollution

April 2023

Reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is a well-known method of combatting climate change, often achieved through tree-planting initiatives in forests. However, in densely populated urban areas, space for even a single tree is often scarce. Unfortunately, these areas are also the most polluted. Thankfully, a group of innovative Serbian scientists has created a solution to this problem: a liquid tree.

The problem of air pollution in urban areas

Air pollution in urban areas has become a significant environmental problem in recent years. The concentration of pollutants in the air, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter, poses a threat to the health of millions of people living in cities worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution is responsible for seven million premature deaths each year, making it one of the leading causes of death globally.

As per data provided by the IHME Global Health Data Exchange Tool, pollution causes the death of three times more individuals annually than the collective deaths caused by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

The Liquid Tree

Dr. Ivan Spasojevic, a Ph.D. holder in Biophysical sciences, has created a groundbreaking solution to combat greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. The solution is called the liquid tree or LIQUID 3, and it is Serbia's first-ever urban photo-bioreactor. The device can hold 600 liters of water and uses microalgae to capture carbon dioxide. The process of photosynthesis produces oxygen. It is an innovative and effective tool that can significantly contribute to reducing air pollution in urban areas.

How does Liquid Tree work?

Liquid Tree, or LIQUID 3, the innovative urban photo-bioreactor developed by Dr. Ivan Spasojevic and his team, is a game-changer in the fight against air pollution. Unlike trees and grass, which also perform photosynthesis and bind carbon dioxide, microalgae used in LIQUID 3 are 10 to 50 times more efficient. The system contains 600 liters of water and can replace two 10-year-old trees or 200 square meters of lawn. While LIQUID 3 aims to fill the urban pockets where planting trees is not possible, the team has clarified that their solution is not intended to replace forests or tree planting initiatives.

The LIQUID 3, Serbia's first urban photo-bioreactor, has been strategically placed in front of the Municipality of Stari Grad in Makedonska Street, a bustling urban area in Belgrade with high concentrations of CO2 emissions. This location was selected to maximize the impact of LIQUID 3, which uses microalgae to bind carbon dioxide and produce pure oxygen through photosynthesis, thus improving the air quality in the surrounding area. By placing the LIQUID 3 in this location, the team behind the project hopes to demonstrate its effectiveness and encourage the implementation of similar solutions in other polluted urban areas.

LIQUID 3 is a multifunctional and innovative solution for air purification and oxygen production. He noted that the project serves as a bench with phone chargers and solar panels, providing lighting during the night. This project directly improves the quality of life of the city's residents, promotes public health, and creates a cleaner environment through the use of smart and innovative solutions.