Heavy metal concentrations in mammals associated with highways of different traffic densities

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Va. J. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5152816

Blair, C W; Hiller, A L; Scanlon, P F

Two hundred and twenty-one small mammals were trapped within 24 m of four highways and in two control areas at least 500 m from any highway. Traffic volumes on the highways involved were 525, 7500, 24,000 and 100,000 vehicles per day in 1975. Whole body samples of the mammals were ashed and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for levels of lead, cadmium, nickel and zinc. Levels of lead, cadmium and zinc in rodents and shrews tended to increase as traffic volume increased. A relationship between nickel levels and traffic volume was not apparent. Within areas shrews tended to have higher levels of lead, cadmium and zinc than species such as Peromyscus leucopus and Microtus pennsylvanicus.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg
• OSTI ID: 5152816
• Journal Information: Va. J. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Va. J. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 28:2; ISSN VJSCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ANIMALS
AUTOMOBILES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CADMIUM
CORRELATIONS
ELEMENTS
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
LEAD
MAMMALS
METALS
MICE
NICKEL
POLLUTION SOURCES
RODENTS
SHREWS
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VEHICLES
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
ZINC