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Air pollution on highways and motorways perturbs carbon and nitrogen levels in roadside ecosystems

مؤلف البحث
Noreen Khalid, Ali Noman, Atifa Masood, Aasma Tufail, Naila Hadayat, Ghalia S. H. Alnusairi, Saad Alamri, Mohamed Hashem & Muhammad Aqeel
ملخص البحث

Vehicle emissions create corridors of increased carbon and nitrogen concentrations near highways that influence surrounding ecosystems. This study used the leaves of a variety of wild plant species and soil samples to examine the extent of total carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) near highway M-2 and FSR in Punjab, Pakistan, in all four seasons of the year. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of C and N near roads in both plants and soils, indicating that a high proportion of vehicle derived C and N is deposited near roads. Compared to control samples, average soil C and N concentrations were increased by 174% and 519%, respectively, on the M-2 road. Similarly, 237% and 628% more C and N were measured in soil on FSR, respectively. The difference in mean concentrations of C and N among different seasons varied significantly. We inferred from these results that the level of C and N along roads depends upon the distance from the road, traffic volume, and seasonal variations. The raised level of C and N compounds could cause perilous impacts on the environment, especially to farmlands around major highways. Hence, farming activities like growing fruits and crops should be avoided near roads.

تاريخ البحث
مجلة البحث
Chemistry and Ecology
المشارك في البحث
الناشر
Taylor and Francis
تصنيف البحث
Q3
موقع البحث
02757540.2020.1791102
سنة البحث
2020
صفحات البحث
868–880