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Estimation of anionic surfactants concentration as Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBASs) in street dust were studied at three locations i.e. Exhibition crossing, Rambagh Crossing/ Bridge and S.P.College campus in Srinagar city from July to December. The results revealed highest concentration of MBAS at Rambagh bridge 0.880μ mol/g in August and September (range 0.668-0.880 μmol/g) followed by Exhibition crossing 0.670μmol/g in August (range 0.441-0.670μ mol/g). However, S. P. College campus as control site recorded lowest concentration of MBAS (0.130-0.170 μ mol/g). The study concluded that high amount of anionic surfactants recorded at Rambagh site is expected due to motor vehicles and other anthropogenic sources such as combustion, road dust and cleaning related activities. The study recommends that surfactants arise from vehicular traffic can be reduced by proper management of vehicular traffic, construction of fly over at high traffic areas, burying the garbage /litter instead of burning particularly during autumn season when the leaf fall is at peak in Kashmir valley.
Keywords: Surfactants, MBAS, Srinagar, Street dust.