Air Pollution and its Impact on the Elements of Soil and Plants in Helwan Area

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the threat of environmental pollution elements has attracted attention as much as the air pollution. Concentrations of many trace elements in the environment have been significantly affected by man's activities. The present study was made to evaluate the potential effects of ambient air pollutants (SO 2 , NO 2 , CO and PM10) on Calotropis procera and soil in Helwan city. The study also aimed to evaluate the damaging effect of human activities on soil and some plants, where samples would have collected from industrials, traffic and domestic sources in Helwan city. Sampling and measurements were based on the environmental protection agency (EPA) and the American Standard test methods (ASTM). Evaluation of air pollutants (SO 2 , NO 2 , CO and PM10) was measured by Miran Gas Analyzer and Thermo Dust Meter. It was found that all metals were belonging to very high contamination category at all sites near the factories except iron. the internal parts of the leaf and shoot in the Calotropis procera are not affected by concentrations of air pollutants found in Helwan industrial area air or even high concentrations in soil

Environmental factors controlling potentially toxic element behaviour in urban soils, El Tebbin, Egypt

“…From our findings, the average bioavailability of PTEs declines in order as Zn > Cd > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co. Correspondingly, the general trends of the relative abundance of trace elements in vegetation studied previously in the area (El-Mekawy 2007 ) and (Alkhdhairi et al 2018 ), were Cd > Cu > Pb > Cr > Co and Zn > Pb > Cd > Cu respectively, supporting these findings.…”

“…These portions of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn under favourable conditions are available for wider food chain impact through plant uptake. Elevated concentrations of Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu recorded in some plant species collected from the study area by El-Mekawy 2007 , Galal et al 2016 and Alkhdhairi et al 2018 confirm the bio-accessibility and total bioavailability indicated by this result. The content of the exchangeable fraction (F1) is readily available for plant uptake.…”

“…Consequently, fertiliser use is high and inputs to soils from these sources, and increased pesticide use and high industrial inputs have increased stress on this sensitive ecosystem (Badawy et al 2017 ). Soil contamination with PTE has previously been identified as an issue in parts of the Helwan area ((Shakour 1991 ); (Ammar 2005 ); (Melegy 2005 ); (El-Mekawy 2007 ); (Melegy et al 2010 ) and (Alkhdhairi et al 2018 )). These have already been associated with crop production in this area ((El-Mekawy 2007 ); (Galal et al 2016 ) and (Alkhdhairi et al 2018 )) as a result of the presence of high PTE concentrations (particularly for Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd) in vegetation in the study area.…”

“…Soil contamination with PTE has previously been identified as an issue in parts of the Helwan area ((Shakour 1991 ); (Ammar 2005 ); (Melegy 2005 ); (El-Mekawy 2007 ); (Melegy et al 2010 ) and (Alkhdhairi et al 2018 )). These have already been associated with crop production in this area ((El-Mekawy 2007 ); (Galal et al 2016 ) and (Alkhdhairi et al 2018 )) as a result of the presence of high PTE concentrations (particularly for Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd) in vegetation in the study area. The identification of wide spread soil contamination in the El-Tabbin district of southern Helwan (Melegy et al 2010 ) highlighted Cd, Se, As, Zn, Ba and Pb as an issue.…”

Variable Growth Responses of Radish, Turnip and Rocket Cultivars to Cadmium and Salinity Treatments

“…Moreover, Cadmium and its compounds are categorized as Group 1 carcinogens for humans and the inhalation of high levels of Cd can produce severe damage to the lungs (Jaishankar et al, 2014, Satarug andMoore, 2004). Soils and crops in many region areas in Egypt are contaminated with heavy metals such as lead and cadmium due to air pollution emissions as the main source of heavy metals in Egyptian environment (Abdel-Latif, 2001, Abdel-Latif et al, 2013, Alkhdhairi et al, 2018, Salman et al, 2019. Other essential reasons for contamination of agricultural soils and crops in Egypt are lowquality irrigation water, pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural activities and municipal waste (El-Hassanin, 2020, Elnazer et al, 2015, Mahmoud and Ghoneim, 2016, Zeid et al, 2018.…”