Impact of Aquariums on Indoor Environmental Quality

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the impact of aquariums on indoor air quality for improving humidity and reducing indoor air pollutants. Methods: An air-conditioning chamber was used to determine humidity increase by aquarium volume at three different temperatures ($20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$). Humidity increase was measured for 21 hours ($20^{\circ}C$) and 12 hours ($25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$) while placing five different volume of aquarium in the chamber. Concentrations of several volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde were measured after a known amount was injected into the chamber with and without an aquarium. Results: The humidity inside the chamber increased when the aquarium was inside the chamber. Humidity change was similar at $20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, and $30^{\circ}C$, but slightly higher at higher temperatures. The bigger the aquarium volume, the higher was the humidity increase that occurred. Humidity increase by the aquarium was sufficient to increase indoor humidity in winter and negligible in summer. Concentrations of some water-soluble indoor air pollutants and formaldehyde were decreased with the aquarium inside the chamber. Conclusions: An aquarium could increase indoor humidity in winter, while the humidity increase is negligible in summer. An aquarium could decrease some water-soluble indoor air pollutants, including formaldehyde. This result implies that an aquarium may have positive effects on indoor environmental quality.

관상수조가 실내 환경의 습도와 오염물질에 미치는 영향