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Quantitative analysis of Lead (Pb) in Soil and Grass Grown along Road side with Low, Medium and High Traffic Intensity

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Environmental Science, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road Lahore, PAKISTAN

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 4, Issue (4), Pages 12-21, April,10 (2015)

Abstract

The current study was designed to quantify the concentration of Pb in soil and grass samples along different roadsides in and near Lahore, Pakistan. The purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of Pb pollution because of vehicular exhaust. For this reason roads with different traffic intensity and a control site were selected which include: G.T. Road, Mall Road, Cantt Colony and Lawrence Garden. Samples were collected during the months of April to June, 2013 from 1 to 2 pm using composite sampling methodology. Soil samples were analyzed for physical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity and moisture content. Standardized procedures were used for samples pre-treatment and then analyzed on Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for the analysis of Pb. Results were also compared with WHO (1996) permissible limits for Pb. Results had shown that Pb pollution was found significantly above the WHO permissible limit in both soil and grass samples along all roads except Lawrence garden (Control site). Comparison among sampling sites had shown that mean levels of Pb in soil samples along Mall Road were highest which could be attributed to the fact of increasing traffic congestion on the road. Whereas mean levels of Pb in grass samples were highest along G.T. Road. Different correlation patterns were observed in concentration of Pb in soil and its uptake by grass with highest correlation (r = 0.833) in samples from G.T. Road. It was therefore concluded from the study that Pb pollution from vehicular exhaust has become a growing ecological concern especially for urban areas.

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