Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry

Mohamed Lamine Sall; Ababacar Diouf; Alassane Traore; Arona Ngom; Diébel Dado Sall; Abdou Karim Diagne Diaw; Modou Fall

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17

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Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry

Mohamed Lamine Sall^*

, Ababacar Diouf

, Alassane Traore

, Arona Ngom

, Diébel Dado Sall

, Abdou Karim Diagne Diaw, Modou Fall

Published in International Journal of Environmental Chemistry (Volume 9, Issue 2)

Received: 1 October 2025 Accepted: 13 October 2025 Published: 19 December 2025

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Abstract

Heavy metals are among the most toxic pollutants found in soils. Lead, in particular, is one of these metals that exerts harmful effects on living organisms even at very low concentrations. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the level of lead contamination in soils from garage areas. In this work, we collected soil samples from eight different garages, including five bus stations and three mechanical workshops. On each site, we collected a composite sample that we analyzed in order to quantify the lead content using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The XRF device provided the elemental analysis results of each sample in parts per million (ppm). These results highlighted the presence of trace metal elements such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As), as well as other less toxic metals like iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), sulfur (S), and tin (Sn). The comparative study of the concentrations found shows a heterogeneous distribution of lead in the soils of the garages, with values ranging from 36.62 to 53.26 ppm. Concentrations are higher in the soils of mechanical workshops than in those of bus stations, with a few exceptions. The most concerning site (S4) shows the maximum lead content of 53.26 ppm, which does not exceed the alert level of 400 ppm set by the US EPA for soils. Thus, the soils do not currently present major health risks for adults, but long-term exposure could negatively affect children living near these areas.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Chemistry (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17
Page(s)	99-106
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Pollution, Soil, Lead, Garage, X-ray Fluorescence

References

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APA Style

Sall, M. L., Diouf, A., Traore, A., Ngom, A., Sall, D. D., et al. (2025). Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry. International Journal of Environmental Chemistry, 9(2), 99-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17

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ACS Style

Sall, M. L.; Diouf, A.; Traore, A.; Ngom, A.; Sall, D. D., et al. Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry. Int. J. Environ. Chem. 2025, 9(2), 99-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17

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AMA Style

Sall ML, Diouf A, Traore A, Ngom A, Sall DD, et al. Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry. Int J Environ Chem. 2025;9(2):99-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17,
  author = {Mohamed Lamine Sall and Ababacar Diouf and Alassane Traore and Arona Ngom and Diébel Dado Sall and Abdou Karim Diagne Diaw and Modou Fall},
  title = {Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Chemistry},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {99-106},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijec.20250902.17},
  abstract = {Heavy metals are among the most toxic pollutants found in soils. Lead, in particular, is one of these metals that exerts harmful effects on living organisms even at very low concentrations. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the level of lead contamination in soils from garage areas. In this work, we collected soil samples from eight different garages, including five bus stations and three mechanical workshops. On each site, we collected a composite sample that we analyzed in order to quantify the lead content using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The XRF device provided the elemental analysis results of each sample in parts per million (ppm). These results highlighted the presence of trace metal elements such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As), as well as other less toxic metals like iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), sulfur (S), and tin (Sn). The comparative study of the concentrations found shows a heterogeneous distribution of lead in the soils of the garages, with values ranging from 36.62 to 53.26 ppm. Concentrations are higher in the soils of mechanical workshops than in those of bus stations, with a few exceptions. The most concerning site (S4) shows the maximum lead content of 53.26 ppm, which does not exceed the alert level of 400 ppm set by the US EPA for soils. Thus, the soils do not currently present major health risks for adults, but long-term exposure could negatively affect children living near these areas.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry
AU  - Mohamed Lamine Sall
AU  - Ababacar Diouf
AU  - Alassane Traore
AU  - Arona Ngom
AU  - Diébel Dado Sall
AU  - Abdou Karim Diagne Diaw
AU  - Modou Fall
Y1  - 2025/12/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Chemistry
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Chemistry
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Chemistry
SP  - 99
EP  - 106
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1460
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17
AB  - Heavy metals are among the most toxic pollutants found in soils. Lead, in particular, is one of these metals that exerts harmful effects on living organisms even at very low concentrations. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the level of lead contamination in soils from garage areas. In this work, we collected soil samples from eight different garages, including five bus stations and three mechanical workshops. On each site, we collected a composite sample that we analyzed in order to quantify the lead content using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The XRF device provided the elemental analysis results of each sample in parts per million (ppm). These results highlighted the presence of trace metal elements such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As), as well as other less toxic metals like iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), sulfur (S), and tin (Sn). The comparative study of the concentrations found shows a heterogeneous distribution of lead in the soils of the garages, with values ranging from 36.62 to 53.26 ppm. Concentrations are higher in the soils of mechanical workshops than in those of bus stations, with a few exceptions. The most concerning site (S4) shows the maximum lead content of 53.26 ppm, which does not exceed the alert level of 400 ppm set by the US EPA for soils. Thus, the soils do not currently present major health risks for adults, but long-term exposure could negatively affect children living near these areas.
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Mohamed Lamine Sall

Department of Chemistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2357-5811
Ababacar Diouf

Department of Chemistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-0651-7981
Alassane Traore

Department of Physic, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9927-2588
Arona Ngom

Department of Chemistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2302-2344
Diébel Dado Sall

Department of Chemistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-9096-537X
Abdou Karim Diagne Diaw

Department of Chemistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal
Modou Fall

Department of Chemistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Sénégal

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Sall, M. L., Diouf, A., Traore, A., Ngom, A., Sall, D. D., et al. (2025). Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry. International Journal of Environmental Chemistry, 9(2), 99-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17

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ACS Style

Sall, M. L.; Diouf, A.; Traore, A.; Ngom, A.; Sall, D. D., et al. Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry. Int. J. Environ. Chem. 2025, 9(2), 99-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17

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AMA Style

Sall ML, Diouf A, Traore A, Ngom A, Sall DD, et al. Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry. Int J Environ Chem. 2025;9(2):99-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17,
  author = {Mohamed Lamine Sall and Ababacar Diouf and Alassane Traore and Arona Ngom and Diébel Dado Sall and Abdou Karim Diagne Diaw and Modou Fall},
  title = {Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Chemistry},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {99-106},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijec.20250902.17},
  abstract = {Heavy metals are among the most toxic pollutants found in soils. Lead, in particular, is one of these metals that exerts harmful effects on living organisms even at very low concentrations. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the level of lead contamination in soils from garage areas. In this work, we collected soil samples from eight different garages, including five bus stations and three mechanical workshops. On each site, we collected a composite sample that we analyzed in order to quantify the lead content using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The XRF device provided the elemental analysis results of each sample in parts per million (ppm). These results highlighted the presence of trace metal elements such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As), as well as other less toxic metals like iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), sulfur (S), and tin (Sn). The comparative study of the concentrations found shows a heterogeneous distribution of lead in the soils of the garages, with values ranging from 36.62 to 53.26 ppm. Concentrations are higher in the soils of mechanical workshops than in those of bus stations, with a few exceptions. The most concerning site (S4) shows the maximum lead content of 53.26 ppm, which does not exceed the alert level of 400 ppm set by the US EPA for soils. Thus, the soils do not currently present major health risks for adults, but long-term exposure could negatively affect children living near these areas.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Determination of lead (Pb) Pollution Levels in Soils from Different Mechanical Garages and Bus Stations in Dakar Using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry
AU  - Mohamed Lamine Sall
AU  - Ababacar Diouf
AU  - Alassane Traore
AU  - Arona Ngom
AU  - Diébel Dado Sall
AU  - Abdou Karim Diagne Diaw
AU  - Modou Fall
Y1  - 2025/12/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Chemistry
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Chemistry
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Chemistry
SP  - 99
EP  - 106
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1460
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijec.20250902.17
AB  - Heavy metals are among the most toxic pollutants found in soils. Lead, in particular, is one of these metals that exerts harmful effects on living organisms even at very low concentrations. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the level of lead contamination in soils from garage areas. In this work, we collected soil samples from eight different garages, including five bus stations and three mechanical workshops. On each site, we collected a composite sample that we analyzed in order to quantify the lead content using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The XRF device provided the elemental analysis results of each sample in parts per million (ppm). These results highlighted the presence of trace metal elements such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As), as well as other less toxic metals like iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), sulfur (S), and tin (Sn). The comparative study of the concentrations found shows a heterogeneous distribution of lead in the soils of the garages, with values ranging from 36.62 to 53.26 ppm. Concentrations are higher in the soils of mechanical workshops than in those of bus stations, with a few exceptions. The most concerning site (S4) shows the maximum lead content of 53.26 ppm, which does not exceed the alert level of 400 ppm set by the US EPA for soils. Thus, the soils do not currently present major health risks for adults, but long-term exposure could negatively affect children living near these areas.
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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