A STUDY ON COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN ROAD DUST - A CASE STUDY OF VADODARA CITY, INDIA

摘要

Concentration of heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, Ni and Fe in road dust was analysed from different category of roads in and around Vadodara city. Road dusts were collected from random spots on both sides of the roads and following mixing for composition in equal proportion from each category road. The samples were analysed following digestion and as methods suggested in "Standard Methods". The determined concentrations were also compared with category of road, average traffic volume count and pavement material. The highest degree of contamination was identified on highway/expressway with high speed vehicles and concrete pavement. The higher values of contamination factor for zinc on urban roads and highways with more traffic volume count revealed the significant contribution of automobile tyres. Further, no significant variation of iron was observed in road dust of various categories of roads with background soil during the study.