Trace Metal Composition of PM2.5, Soil, and Machilus bombycina Leaves and the Effects on Antheraea assama Silk Worm Rearing in the Oil Field Area of Northeastern India

Devi, Gitumani; Bhattacharyya, Krishna Gopal; Mahanta, Lipi B; Devi, Arundhuti

Trace Metal Composition of PM2.5, Soil, and Machilus bombycina Leaves and the Effects on Antheraea assama Silk Worm Rearing in the Oil Field Area of Northeastern India

2014

Devi, Gitumani | Bhattacharyya, Krishna Gopal | Mahanta, Lipi B | Devi, Arundhuti

The relationship between ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and detrimental effects on fauna remains a highly controversial issue. The present study has determined the levels of fine particulate matter and trace metals in the particulate matter as well as in soil and plants in an oil field of Assam in northeastern India in order to assess the effects of oil exploration on muga (Antheraea assama) silk worms. Ambient PM2.5 concentration was monitored daily at two sites during November (one of the driest months) along with the trace metals, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The distance variation of the trace metals was determined by factors related to dispersion and the emission sources. Higher levels of PM2.5 were measured during the night. This might be due to increased emissions from the group gathering station of crude oil done during the night. Significant correlations were observed among the trace metal compositions of the fine particulate matter in ambient air, soil, and plants of the oil field area, and the same were related to the oil exploration activities. Meteorological data and statistical analysis further confirmed the influence of the oil field activities on the levels of PM2.5 and the trace metals.

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