An Investigation of Environmental Impact of Aerial Metal Deposition Around the Petrol Filling Stations and Applying Remedial Measures to Reduce the Elevated Level of Lead Metal

The wide use of petroleum products causes contamination of air, water, soil and plants. The present study was related to monitor the aerial deposition of metals on soil and ryegrass around the fuel stations along central road of Karachi city, Pakistan. Samples of soil and ryegrass were collected from the selected locations of central road. Concentrations of selected trace metals were estimated through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Multivariate analysis is also applied to authenticate the concentration difference between affected and control samples. Statistical analyses of metals in soil and ryegrass samples were reported in terms of average concentration of trace metals, standard deviation, median and mean values. The correlation coefficient (r) was also calculated between metals in soil vs. soil and ryegrass vs. ryegrass samples. By applying adsorption technique the beds of adsorbents like activated charcoal, cement, silica gel and calcium carbonate were placed at the petrol filling stations for the period of one month and monitor the deposited metal content.