Journal of Environmental Biology

Assessment of heavy metals in suspended particulate matter

in Moradabad, India

Raina Pal, Mahima, A. Gupta and Anamika Tripathi*

Pollution Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Hindu College, Moradabad-244 001, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail:? anamikambd@rediffmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

20 September 2012

Revised received:

25 May 2013

Accepted:

13 July 2013

Abstract

Samples of suspended particulate matter (PM₁₀) were collected from three different sites in Moradabad, India. The sampling was done concurrently twice a week during the period of April 2011-March 2012. Elemental concentration of PM₁₀ was analyzed using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES). The monthly mean concentration of PM₁₀ (RSPM) ranged between 63-226?gm^-3, which was higher than the permissible limit of 100?gm-3 of National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The maximum concentration of Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr and Ni found in the Industrial area of the city was 21.24, 18.43, 15.23, 0.41, 0.03?gm^-3, respectively; whereas the maximum concentration of Pb (2.72?gm^-3) and Cd (0.20?gm^-3) was found in heavy density traffic area, denoted as commercial area. The study shows that high number of vehicles and the brassware industries are responsible for enhanced concentration of heavy metals in the Brass City.

 Key words

Brassware industries, Heavy metals, Suspended particulate matter, Traffic density

Copyright ? 2014 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).