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Pak. J. Bot., 47(SI): 205-209, 2015.

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EFFECT OF FLUORIDES ON AIR, WATER, SOIL AND VEGETATION IN

PERIPHERAL AREAS OF BRICK KILN OF RAWALPINDI

SOFIA KHALID* AND SAIRA MANSAB

Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan

Corresponding author’s e-mail: sofiarahim@hotmail.com

Abstract: Coal burning in brick kilns releases high fluoride concentration that is major cause of fluorosis in living beings and necrosis in plants. The present study was conducted to assess fluoride concentration in air, soil, water and natural vegetation Euphorbia helioscopia (Deodal), Acacia nilotica (Kikar) and Cenchrus ciliaris (grass)  and staple crop that is wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the vicinity of brick kilns of  Dhoke Syedaan, Rawalpindi in different densities of brick kilns and controlled sites. In ambient air fluoride concentration was below the detection limit of detector tube that is 0.1ppm (0.08mg/m³) while high concentration of hydrogen fluoride was observed at coal burning site. High density of brick kilns resulted in increased levels of fluoride concentration in vegetation and soil samples on site. Average fluoride content of vegetation ranged between 25.78mg/kg and 9.21 mg/kg. Only fluoride concentration of Euphorbia helioscopia in highly dense brick kiln area exceeded the limit of Canadian guideline for fluoride in vegetation that is 30mg/kg. The BCF values of Euphorbia helioscopia (Deodal), Acacia nilotica (Kikar), Triticum aestivum (wheat), Cenchrus ciliaris (grass) were 32.02, 29.50, 22.67, 19.29 and 17.79 respectively. Water samples had no significant difference in fluoride concentrations of different directions. Few health impacts were observed in brick kiln workers and other residents of nearby localities due to fluoride in the surrounding environment of brick kilns. The study concludes high impact of fluorides on living biota due to burning of coal.

Keywords: Brick Kilns, Triticum aestivum, Euphorbia helioscopia, Acacia nilotica, Bio Concentration Factor