Emission Profile of Heavy Metal Pollutants in Ambient Air of Lucknow City (U.P.)

Abstract

— The objectives of this study is (1) To assess the ambient air quality with respect to Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 & PM 10) and heavy metal lead (Pb), nickel (Ni). (2) To the preliminary information of the study area and principal source of pollution. (3) To study trends of pollutants over a period of time, to create a database for future use and space. In the last few decades, the human behaviours have changed the global atmospheric condition, the present study deals with the quantitative effect of vehicular emission on ambient air quality during Dec2016-Feb 2017 in three locations viz. Aliganj (Residential area), Gomtinagar (Commercial cum traffic area), Talkatora (Industrial area) of Lucknow city. The air quality was based on measuring four air pollutants namely Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 & PM 10), and Heavy Metal Lead (Pb) & nickel (Ni). The PM 2.5 level at all the locations were higher than the NAAQS limits .The PM 10 levels at all the monitoring locations were higher than the NAAQS limits. The concentrations of the Heavy Metal Lead (Pb) and Nickel (Ni) higher at all locations than the NAAQS limit. Heavy vehicular density and construction activity at road side, unpaved road is the causes of increase particulate matter in atmosphere. Keyword -Air quality, Air pollutants, Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 & PM 10), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni) I. INTRODUCTION In the present scenario, Environmental pollution is a common problem in both developing countries and developed countries[1]. Ambient air pollution has become a matter of grave concern, particularly in megacities and urban areas and rapid industrial development coupled with emission from transport sector are recognized as the prime source [2]. The contaminants or pollutants may generate from the natural sources as well as human activities. Population growth, urbanization, economic development, transportation needs and rapid increase in energy consumption are major driving force of air pollution in large cities, especially in megacities. The urban population is mainly exposed to high levels of air pollution including metals as well as fine and ultra fine particles from the vehicular emission [3]. Every city has its own characteristics which becomes the pull factor for its growth and development and developmental progress, if not checked poses risks to environment and health of people [1]. Air pollution is defined as the presence in the external atmosphere of one or several substances introduced by man to such as extent as to affect health and welfare of human system and the life in atmosphere [4]. Air pollution is caused due to both gaseous pollutants (Oxide of nitrogen, Oxide of sulphur, Oxide of carbon) & particulate pollutants (Organic and Inorganic). Heavy metals are particulate inorganic pollutants released in the atmosphere through natural and man-made processes. Heavy metals are relatively dense and toxic at low concentration [5]. Heavy metals can be transported from one place to another air through wind blow dust [6]. Several pollutant may be directly emitted by human activities where as the others may be formed in the air with the effect of sunlight, as in photochemical smog. The particles may range from carbonaceous sooty to heavy metal complex organic compound as well as nuclear fallout. They may have a periodicity which is especially manifested in the biological pollutants, including the airborne spores [7]. Air pollution can cause several adverse effects health and building. Pollutants may cause several diseases such as respiratory diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, eye-irritation etc, to human being living in the surroundings of the industries. Thus we can see that both air and water pollution emerging from industries is very seriously concern to the human health and environment [4]. Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) -The increases in particulate matter have been shown to cause small, reversible decrement in lung function in normal asymptomatic children, and in both adults and children who have some form of pre-existing respiratory condition, particularly asthma. These changes were often accompanied, especially in adults, by increases in symptoms such as chronic bronchitis or cough.