'Eco-sculpture' unveiled in city

The concrete breaks down pollutants such as carbon monoxide

An "eco-sculpture" which can turn toxic gasses from cars back into oxygen and nitrates has been unveiled in Dundee.

The public artwork, entitled Catalyst, is a life-size model of a car draped in a sheet.

It has been installed near Greenmarket Car Park and Sensation science centre and was created by city-based artists Louise Scullion and Matthew Dalziel.

It is believed that this is the first time the concrete which can convert the pollutants has been used in the UK.

It contains catalytic titanium dioxide which reacts with light and triggers nitric oxides, carbon monoxide and sulphur monoxide to break apart.

Materials such as nitrates would then drain off with the next rainfall into the soil for plants to use.

Mr Dalziel said: "The material was originally developed for use on pavements in congested urban areas to improve air quality.

Our generation will play a critical role in addressing the ecological challenges of global warming and climate change Louise Scullion Artist

"Catalyst points the way to how cities with notoriously bad air quality, from Los Angeles to Athens and Beijing, could, in the short term, mitigate some of the worst effects of airborne pollutants.

"At the same time we recognize it is typical of human endeavour to focus on mitigating the impact rather than addressing the cause of our environmental problems.

"However, the material offers a practical means of addressing air quality in the short term, as we collectively work to address the bigger issues relating to environmental sustainability."

Ms Scullion added: "Ecological issues have been becoming increasingly important on the political agenda in recent years and interest in environmental sustainability is no longer confined to specialists.

"Our generation will play a critical role in addressing the ecological challenges of global warming and climate change."