Abstract
Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization in many countries of the world, heavy metals are continuously emitted into the terrestrial environment and posing great threat to human health. The present study was conducted to measure the concentration of six heavy metals, chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in roadside dust of five major roads in Gujrat city. The dust samples were collected from five different locations in the vicinity of Gujrat. The results showed that the average concentrations of Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the dust samples were higher than their permissible limits. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were much higher than those in the background value of Gujrat soil. Results clearly concluded that the heavy traffic and transportation is the major responsible source of these heavy metals in the road dust of Gujrat city along with the transportation of sewage sludge, surface runoff from agricultural land and discharge of sewage water from drains.
Highlights
Pollution is the most severe problem in developing countries a day [36, 16]
All samples were in positive value for heavy metal contamination in traffic congested areas of Gujrat
At location (A) the concentration of Pb was higher as compared to other heavy metals such as Pb>Zn>Cd>Cr>Co>Ni while Similar trend was found at location (B) where Ni concentration was slightly equal to the concentration of Co while Zn concentration was not significantly different from Pb
Summary
Pollution is the most severe problem in developing countries a day [36, 16]. Continous increasing population leads the pollution by using transport and industrialization. Traffic is more congested as compared to rural areas [30]. Roads are considered as the second largest non-point source of pollution in all media of environment [44, 15]. Developed countries could combat or minimize traffic pollution impacts by using different advanced technologies and recourses because they have substantial economic parameters as compared to developing countries [18]. Anthropogenic activities, paints, petrol, aerosols are the major sources of traffic pollution [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
