Lead levels in mammals and invertebrates associated with highways of different traffic volumes
Small mammals, earthworms and grasshoppers were recovered within 18 m of highways of different traffic volumes. Earthworms were recovered at 6, 12 and 18 m from highways. The study areas were as follows: (A) 23,000 vehicles/day, (B) 9000 vehicles/day, (C) 1000 vehicles/day, and (X) a control area in a mature forest not less than 500 m from the nearest highway. Individual mammals and pooled samples of earthworms and grasshoppers were assayed for lead using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Grasshoppers from Areas A and C had levels of 3.84 ..mu..g/g and 3.35 ..mu..g/g, respectively. Lead levels in earthworms decreased as distance from the road increased and were considerably less in Area C than Area A. Lead levels in shrews (Blarina brevicauda) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in Peromyscus leucopus or Microtus pennsylvanicus from the same areas. Lead levels in mammals were significantly (P<0.05) higher in traffic areas than the control areas and decreased as the traffic volume decreased.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Polytechic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg
- OSTI ID:
- 6048736
- Journal Information:
- Va. J. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Va. J. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 27:2; ISSN VJSCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Lead levels in small mammals and selected invertebrates associated with highways of different traffic densities
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Related Subjects
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560304 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Invertebrates-- (-1987)
560305 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ANIMALS
ANNELIDS
ARTHROPODS
AUTOMOBILES
BUILDUP
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
LEAD
MAMMALS
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
MICE
RODENTS
SHREWS
SPECTROSCOPY
UPTAKE
VEHICLES
VERTEBRATES
WASTES