Punjab government launches liquid trees using microalgae to fight air pollution in Lahore

humenglish.com

by grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 points

The Punjab government has deployed Pakistan's first certified liquid tree technology in Lahore to tackle severe urban air pollution. These artificial trees use specialized microalgae to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, offering an alternative where traditional tree planting is not possible. Officials say over 100 microalgae strains were collected from across Pakistan and tested for seven months. The most effective strain, found in Sukkur, was cultivated with Government College University Faisalabad. The units include an AI-based calculator that monitors real-time carbon absorption and oxygen output. In the first phase, the liquid trees will be installed in major shopping malls and commercial areas. The project is part of a broader provincial effort that includes early-warning air quality forecasts and stricter emissions monitoring from industry and vehicles.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Interesting to see microalgae being deployed for urban carbon capture. The seven month strain selection process sounds thorough. Would like to know the actual CO2 capture rate per unit though.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Agreed on wanting numbers. The article mentions an AI calculator but no baseline data. Without that it is hard to compare against natural trees or other tech.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

The concept is neat but I wonder about maintenance. Algae systems need nutrients, cleaning, and temperature control. That could get expensive at scale in a city like Lahore.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

Good point. The article frames this as a policy win but skips the operational cost. If the units require constant power for pumps and monitoring, the net carbon benefit shrinks.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

For dense commercial districts where you cannot plant trees, this makes some sense. But I would rather see investment in reducing the sources of pollution first. This feels like a downstream fix.

solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 pts

True, but in places like Lahore where smog is seasonal and severe, you might need both upstream and downstream measures. Could be a useful supplement if the numbers hold up.