Abstract:
Air pollution is a mixture of gases and particulate matter (PM) present in air that poses risk to all living organisms. The release of noxious gases, i.e., CO2, CO, SOx, NOx, and chemical vapors due to burning of fossil fuel are the major contributor in air pollution. Further aggravation occurs when natural chemical reactions involving NOx & SOx compounds occur in the atmosphere and result in smog formation. Data from urban areas of Karachi and Lahore, has been reported elsewhere. However, no data related to Rawalpindi/ Islamabad area has been reported previously. This study presents the measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at selected sites of Rawalpindi city and Islamabad with reference to its temporal variation in winter and spring. According to the results, during the months of January & February, the lowest concentration of NO (7.605µg/m³) was recorded at H-10 Civil Lines, whereas the highest concentration (19.025µg/m³) was recorded at the Islamabad Airport and was significantly different. It was due to accumulation of air traffic in the vicinity along with vehicular traffic. However, the other sites did not show any statistical difference irrespective of site of sampling in both ICT & Rawalpindi. On the other hand, during the months of March & April, the lowest concentration (12.018µg/m³) was measured at Blue Area Islamabad, whereas highest concentration (21.119µg/m³) was recorded at the Airport region. Beside its location, the higher NOx concentration was attributed due to the presence of railway track across the intersection. Low concentration at H-10 sector was due to low traffic concentration. The comparison between the concentration range of Winter & Spring months showed slight change in NOx concentration due to temperature change. The most notable aspects of present study were the difference in NO2 concentrations at all ten sites in both periods of sampling. Adaptation of alternative fuel, improved combustion technology, reduction in anthropogenic activities, and by introducing mass transit can greatly reduce NOx emission.
Page(s):
265-268
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Science International, Volume: 24, Issue: 3, Year: 2012