Suryawanshi, P V and Rajaram, B S and Bhanarkar, A D and Chalapati Rao, C V (2016) Determining Heavy Metal Contamination of Road Dust in Delhi, India. Atmosfera, 29 (3). pp. 221-234. ISSN 2395-8812

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Abstract

Air pollution has been considered one of the major environmental challenges because of its effect on ecosystems and human health. The concentration levels and sources of heavy metals contamination were studied in road dust samples collected from various locations including four different activity areas: industrial, highways, residential and mixed use in Delhi, India. Total content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed by ICP-AES. The results showed high concentration levels of Ni, Cr and Pb in industrial areas. Pearson’ correlations coupled with Principal component analysis revealed that Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb are associated with industrial sources whereas Zn and Cu are mainly contributed by vehicular traffic. Road dust contamination was assessed by various methods: degree of contamination, potential ecological index and pollution index. Contamination factor analysis showed that road dust samples are significantly contaminated by Zn and Pb. Potential ecological indexes indicated high contamination of Cd while moderate contamination of Pb in road dust, but low contamination of Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn. Pollution index of most of the metals were higher than 1 indicating deterioration of road dust quality of Delhi city due to anthropogenic emissions. Degree of contamination, potential ecological index and integrated pollution index reveal that the road dust from the industrial area, mixed use area and highway are highly contaminated by the heavy metals. The road dust from the residential area is also contaminated considerably. Evaluations by various methods indicated that all assessment methods are important for environmental quality evaluation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Correlation Analysis, Ecological Risk Index, Pollution index, Principal Component Analysis, Toxic Elements
Subjects:	Air Quality Air Pollution Environmental Pollution
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	MR ANIL BHANARKAR
Date Deposited:	31 Mar 2017 06:51
Last Modified:	31 Mar 2017 06:51
URI:	http://neeri.csircentral.net/id/eprint/791

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