Nature-Based Solution for Reducing CO2 Levels in Museum Environments: A Phytoremediation Study for the Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper”

A nature-based solution (NBS) using Laurus nobilis L. (common laurel) demonstrates significant potential for reducing CO2 levels in air-tight museum environments, such as the Refectory of the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church in Milan, Italy, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s 'The Last Supper.' The study found that laurel plants can effectively remove CO2 under controlled conditions, with light-saturated net assimilation (Pnmax) increasing significantly at elevated CO2 levels (1000 ppm). This capacity varies seasonally, with higher performance in spring and autumn. To manage visitor-related CO2 emissions, the research suggests deploying 58 to 112 young laurel plants in an external greenhouse connected to the museum’s HVAC system, depending on seasonal conditions. These findings propose a sustainable approach to integrating NBS with traditional air-cleaning systems to enhance indoor environmental quality in heritage sites.

Salvatori, E., Gentile, C., Altieri, A., Aramini, F., & Manes, F. (2020). Nature-Based Solution for Reducing CO2 Levels in Museum Environments: A Phytoremediation Study for the Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper”. Sustainability, 12(2), 565. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020565