Spatial Distribution of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Ni in Dust, Plants, and Water along Jhang Road, Faisalabad

Abstract

Air pollution is a global problem. It adversely affects the quality of soil, plants and water bodies. Air pollution on road side is damaging air quality on a regular basis. Previous studies and daily reports from the Ministry of Environment show that there is an increase in particle filtration in Pakistani air. To quantify the focus of specific issues pertinent to air quality this study was conducted on Jhang Road Faisalabad. Samples of dust, plants, and water were collected along the road and analysis of selected heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb) was done. Pollution data near se-lected sites and the effect of selected air pollution on the growth parameters of the selected plant were recorded. The concentrations of Cu (1.95mg kg -1 ), Pb (0.858mg kg -1 ) and Cd (0.735mg kg -1 ) in maize crop were the highest in the Babu Wala area of Jhang Road and Ni concentration was the highest (4.525mg kg -1 ) in the Said Abad site. The concentrations of Cu and Cd in the dust collected from Babu Wala were2.14 and 0.80mg kg -1 , respectively. The concentration of Ni was the highest (2.32mg kg -1 ) in the Risala Wala area and the concentration of Pb (0.98mg kg -1 ) was the highest at the Said Abad site. In the Risala Wala area, Cu and Cd concentration in irrigation water was 0.15 and 0.11mg L -1 , respectively. However, the Ni and Pb concentrations in irrigation water were found higher in Liaqat Abad area than any other area. The concentration of heavy metals was maximum in samples collected from road side and the concentration decreases as we move away from the road.