ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Comparative Studies of Lead and Heavy
Metals Concentrations in Pakistan Soil
and Its Toxic Effects
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1
Department of Chemistry, University of Education Township, Lahore
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Department of Chemistry, Lahore Garrison University, DHA Lahore, Pakistan
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Department of Chemistry, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
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Department of Chemistry, GC University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Submission date: 2018-11-04
Final revision date: 2019-03-08
Acceptance date: 2019-03-28
Online publication date: 2020-03-03
Publication date: 2020-04-21
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2020;29(4):2533-2542
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ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to determine qualitative and quantitative lead contamination in soil along
two major roadsides (Motorway M-2 and National Highway N-5) of Thokar Niaz Baaig (TNB) in
Lahore, and adjoining areas of the Hudiara drain in Pakistan by employing the digestion method using
HCl/HNO3 at 1:4. The characterization of lead (Pb) was performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy.
High deposition of lead was observed along the soil of linking roads of rather populated towns of
Lahore, Pakistan, and the soil irrigated by the wastewater of Hudiara drain. The lead contents originated
mainly from vehicular emissions, urban pollution and industrial effluents, and may lead to a rise of lead
levels in the vegetation of associated areas. The present study also explores a comparison of heavy
metal (Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ti) concentrations in different areas of Pakistan and its adverse
effects on plant growth. There is a need to strictly monitor the water quality in the Hudiara drain; its
wastewater should be avoided for irrigation purposes. Some fungal strains can also be used to control
the heavy metal concentration in such polluted water. However, some beneficial effects of Hudiara drain
wastewater as a nutritional source for plants have also been suggested. It is important to establish the
proper nutrition conditions in areas of contaminated soil.