Contamination, Ecotoxicological Risks, and Sources of Potentially Toxic Elements in Roadside Dust Along Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), Pakistan
The Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2) is a critical transportation corridor in Pakistan, where contamination in roadside dust by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) presents potential environmental and health concerns. This study evaluates the concentration, spatial distribution, and ecological risks of...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Urban Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/6/225 |
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| author | Ibrar Hayat Wajid Ali Said Muhammad Muhammad Nafees Abdur Raziq Imran Ud Din Jehanzeb Khan Shahid Iqbal |
| author_facet | Ibrar Hayat Wajid Ali Said Muhammad Muhammad Nafees Abdur Raziq Imran Ud Din Jehanzeb Khan Shahid Iqbal |
| author_sort | Ibrar Hayat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2) is a critical transportation corridor in Pakistan, where contamination in roadside dust by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) presents potential environmental and health concerns. This study evaluates the concentration, spatial distribution, and ecological risks of PTEs (Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ag, Fe) in road dust along the M-2. PTE concentrations were determined using standard protocols and by analysis using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The findings indicate substantial variability in metal concentrations, with Fe (CV% = 9.35%) and Pb (CV% = 7.06%) displaying the highest consistency, whereas Ni exhibited the greatest fluctuation (CV% = 168.80%). Contamination factor analysis revealed low to moderate contamination for Ni and Fe, while Zn contamination was significant in 60% of samples. Cr and Cd exhibited persistently high contamination, and Pb was uniformly elevated across all locations. Ecological risk assessment categorized Ni, Zn, and Cu as low-risk elements, while Pb posed a substantial risk. Cd concentrations indicated high to extreme ecological hazards, emphasizing the necessity for urgent mitigation measures. Factor analysis suggested an interaction of various sources, including industrial, vehicular emissions, and construction materials. Strengthened pollution control strategies and systematic monitoring are essential for mitigating contamination and ensuring environmental sustainability along the motorway. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e99554bf240141de8572d95e7cd805c9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2413-8851 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Urban Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-e99554bf240141de8572d95e7cd805c92025-08-20T03:29:52ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512025-06-019622510.3390/urbansci9060225Contamination, Ecotoxicological Risks, and Sources of Potentially Toxic Elements in Roadside Dust Along Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), PakistanIbrar Hayat0Wajid Ali1Said Muhammad2Muhammad Nafees3Abdur Raziq4Imran Ud Din5Jehanzeb Khan6Shahid Iqbal7National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, PakistanNational Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, PakistanNational Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, PakistanDepartment of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, PakistanDepartment of Geography, Islamia College University, Peshawar 25120, PakistanNational Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, PakistanDepartment of Geology, University of Malakand, Chakdara 18800, PakistanDirectorate of Advance Studies, University of Peshawar, Pakistan 25120, PakistanThe Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2) is a critical transportation corridor in Pakistan, where contamination in roadside dust by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) presents potential environmental and health concerns. This study evaluates the concentration, spatial distribution, and ecological risks of PTEs (Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ag, Fe) in road dust along the M-2. PTE concentrations were determined using standard protocols and by analysis using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The findings indicate substantial variability in metal concentrations, with Fe (CV% = 9.35%) and Pb (CV% = 7.06%) displaying the highest consistency, whereas Ni exhibited the greatest fluctuation (CV% = 168.80%). Contamination factor analysis revealed low to moderate contamination for Ni and Fe, while Zn contamination was significant in 60% of samples. Cr and Cd exhibited persistently high contamination, and Pb was uniformly elevated across all locations. Ecological risk assessment categorized Ni, Zn, and Cu as low-risk elements, while Pb posed a substantial risk. Cd concentrations indicated high to extreme ecological hazards, emphasizing the necessity for urgent mitigation measures. Factor analysis suggested an interaction of various sources, including industrial, vehicular emissions, and construction materials. Strengthened pollution control strategies and systematic monitoring are essential for mitigating contamination and ensuring environmental sustainability along the motorway.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/6/225potentially toxic elementshealth risksecological risksroad dustspatial distributionsources |
| spellingShingle | Ibrar Hayat Wajid Ali Said Muhammad Muhammad Nafees Abdur Raziq Imran Ud Din Jehanzeb Khan Shahid Iqbal Contamination, Ecotoxicological Risks, and Sources of Potentially Toxic Elements in Roadside Dust Along Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), Pakistan Urban Science potentially toxic elements health risks ecological risks road dust spatial distribution sources |
| title | Contamination, Ecotoxicological Risks, and Sources of Potentially Toxic Elements in Roadside Dust Along Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), Pakistan |
| title_full | Contamination, Ecotoxicological Risks, and Sources of Potentially Toxic Elements in Roadside Dust Along Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), Pakistan |
| title_fullStr | Contamination, Ecotoxicological Risks, and Sources of Potentially Toxic Elements in Roadside Dust Along Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), Pakistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Contamination, Ecotoxicological Risks, and Sources of Potentially Toxic Elements in Roadside Dust Along Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), Pakistan |
| title_short | Contamination, Ecotoxicological Risks, and Sources of Potentially Toxic Elements in Roadside Dust Along Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M-2), Pakistan |
| title_sort | contamination ecotoxicological risks and sources of potentially toxic elements in roadside dust along lahore islamabad motorway m 2 pakistan |
| topic | potentially toxic elements health risks ecological risks road dust spatial distribution sources |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/6/225 |
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