Heavy metal concentrations in soils and vegetation associated with highways of different traffic densities

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

OSTI ID:6432119

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

Vegetation and soil were collected at varying distances from four Virginia highways and from two control areas. Daily traffic density of the highways ranged from 100,000 vehicles per day (I 95 near Washington, D.C.) to 600 vehicles per day (VA 42 near Newport). Vegetation and soil were analyzed for lead, cadmium, nickel and zinc, using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometry. Sampling was conducted in summer and again in the fall from all areas. Preliminary results indicated that the cadmium and nickel concentrations in soil and vegetation are not strongly related with traffic density. Levels of lead and zinc in soil showed a significant decrease as distance from the highway increased and as traffic density decreased. Lead concentrations in the vegetation decreased significantly as traffic density decreased, and showed a general downward trend as distance from the highway increased. Levels of zinc in vegetation exhibited an overall, but not significant decrease as traffic density decreased. The fall vegetation samples had significantly higher lead concentrations than those collected in the summer. There was also considerable variation among vegetation species in concentrations of heavy metals.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg
• OSTI ID: 6432119
• 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
550500 -- Metabolism
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
AUTOMOBILES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY
CADMIUM
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
EXHAUST GASES
FEDERAL REGION III
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
LEAD
METALS
NICKEL
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOILS
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
VARIATIONS
VEHICLES
VIRGINIA
WASTES
ZINC