In the ongoing battle against air pollution, Belgrade has introduced an innovative solution known as the “liquid tree.” This urban photo-bioreactor is the first of its kind in Serbia and serves as a proactive measure to combat greenhouse gas emissions and enhance air quality.
The “liquid tree” comprises a 600-liter water reservoir and employs microalgae to sequester carbon dioxide and generate pure oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.
Belgrade faces significant air quality challenges as it ranks as the fourth most polluted city in Serbia, primarily due to the presence of two large coal power plants in close proximity.
These power plants have garnered notoriety for their environmental impact, with both being among the top ten dirtiest plants in Europe, as reported by the European NGO Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL).
In 2019, Serbia was categorized as Europe’s fifth most polluted country, marked by high levels of PM 2.5 air pollution, according to IQAir’s World Air Quality Report.
A further study in December 2019 shed light on Serbia’s alarming per capita record for pollution-related deaths, revealing 175 deaths per 100,000 people, making it the worst in Europe.
Environmental activists have emphasized that pollution in Serbia and other parts of the Balkan peninsula is so severe that it becomes visible, odorous, and even tasteable, particularly during the autumn and winter seasons.
This “liquid tree” stands as a novel and eco-friendly response to this pressing environmental challenge, demonstrating the city’s commitment to improving air quality and mitigating the detrimental effects of pollution.
