Seasonal variations in the heavy metal concentrations of sediments influenced by highways of different traffic volumes

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01770009· OSTI ID:5213471

Van Hassel, J H; Ney, J J; Garling, D L

The distribution of contaminating waste products, particularly heavy metals, to the roadside ecosystem is cause for considerable concern, due to both the documented toxicity of these metals at low concentrations and their accumulation by resident organisms. The elements of major concern are lead from gasoline engine exhsuts, nickel from both diesel fuel and lubricating oil, and cadmium and zinc from rubber tires. Lead has been correlated to traffic density in various components of the terrestrial ecosystem. Similar results were reported for nickel, cadmium, and zinc, as well as lead. Information concerning concentration of heavy metals in roadside aquatic ecosystems is very limited. To provide an initial assessment of contamination from this source, we determined seasonal concentrations of heavy metals in stream sediment as related to traffic density. Heavy metals entering the stream ecosystem in runoff are rapidly adsorbed to sediment, providing a stable indicator of local contamination. Analysis of seasonal change in the heavy metal load of the sediment provides insight concerning the importance of runoff relative to sediment-water interaction and uptake by other componenets of the system.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg
• OSTI ID: 5213471
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 23:4/5; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AUTOMOBILES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CADMIUM
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
EXHAUST GASES
GASEOUS WASTES
LEAD
METALS
NICKEL
POLLUTION
ROADS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SEDIMENTS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIATIONS
VEHICLES
WASTES
ZINC