Apportionment of PM10 and PM2.5 their concentration, chemical composition and spatial estimation at the Periphery of Islamabad (T-1324) (MFN 6260)

Abstract

In this study the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 followed by heavy metal detection and quantification was carried out. Sampling was carried out to analyse PM10 and PM2.5 by using low volume dual sampler at five selected location which include four majors highways and one industrial area. GIS was used to select the sample sites to cover study area, Islamabad. Sample was installed at each location for a week to collect the data for PM10 and PM2.5 for 24 hours daily, between November 2016 to January 2017.Maximum concentration of PM10 was found at Express Highway Kahnna pull 543.3 μg/m3 and minimum at Margalla Road Bahria university 373 μg/m3 whereas PM2.5 concentration was higher along Express highway Kahnna Pull 289.5 μg/m3 and minimum concentration was found at Industrial area 221.7μg/m3. The results showed that the overall concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 were considerably higher as compared to permissible limits by WHO as well as Pak-NEQs. The heavy metal analysis was carried out at Pinstech Labortory by using inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) technology, the result revealed the presence of heavy metal in PM10 was found at sampling locations in this order Ca > K > Mg > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cr > C d> Cu and Ca > Mg > Zn > K > Pb > Cr > Cd > Cu >Ni was found in PM2.5 samples. Most off the elements in all the samples were meant to be was associated with dust and smog. Maximum concentration of heavy metals were found at Peshawar Road ( G-15) and on Express high way (Kahnna pull).Spatial distribution maps showed that the high concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 along with all metals was found near the main roads of study areas.