POLLUTION LEVELS AND ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENTS OF HEAVY METALS IN STREET DUST IN KHON KAEN’S URBAN AREA, THAILAND
Abstract
Pollution levels and ecological risks of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb) in street dust in Khon Kaen’s urban area were investigated. A total of 88 street dust samples collected during October 2019 were analyzed by AAS. Cr contents varied considerably (0.03 – 0.84 mg/kg) while only a slight variation was observed for Pb contents (9.08 – 2.56 mg/kg). Notably, Cd and Ni were not detected in any sampling location. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), pollution index (PI), ecological risk factor ( ), and potential ecological risk index (RI) were included to assess the extent of Cr and Pb pollution. Based on the Igeo, PI, , and RI, the study area was classified as unpolluted or lowly polluted with Cr and Pb, and had low ecological risk. The findings suggest that the studied heavy metals in street dust from Khon Kaen’s urban area pose no threat to the environment.