Impact of overland traffic on heavy metal levels in highway dust and soils of Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of overland traffic on the spatial distribution of heavy metals in urban soils (Istanbul, Turkey). Road dust, surface, and subsurface soil samples were collected from a total of 41 locations along highways with dense traffic and secondary roads with lower traffic and analyzed for lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) concentrations. Statistical evaluation of the heavy metal concentrations observed along highways and along the secondary roads showed that the data were bimodally distributed. The maximum observed Pb, Zn, and Cu concentrations were 1,573, 522 and 136 mg/kg, respectively, in surface soils along highways and 99.3, 156, and 38.1 mg/kg along secondary roads. Correlation analysis of the metal concentrations in road dust, surface and 20-cm depth soils suggests the presence of a common pollution source. However, metal concentrations in the deeper soils were substantially lower than those observed at the surface, indicating low mobility of heavy metals, especially for Pb and Zn. A modified kriging approach that honors the bimodality of the data was used to estimate the spatial distribution of the surface concentrations of metals, and to identify hotspots. Results indicate that despite the presence of some industrial zones within the study area, traffic is the main heavy metal pollution source.

Heavy metals in road deposited sediments and road dusts of Colombo Capital, Sri Lanka

“…In contrast to RDS, Fe does not correlate well with the other elements of dust but it shows a negative correlation with the OM content. These strong correlations indicate that the metals in the area may have originated from a common source (Guney et al, 2010).…”

“…As a result, millions of people living in and around urban centers are exposed to an unnatural and unhealthy environment, which may cause a serious threat to human health as well as for the environment. The common environmental pollutants are aromatic compounds (Ray et Heavy metals are essential for vital processes in humans and many living organisms (Guney et al, 2010). However, they have a great ecological significance today due to their toxicity and accumulative behaviour (Hoque et al, 2011).…”

“…Pollution from overland transportation is an inevitable environmental consequence of increasing commercial and industrial activities in developing areas (Guney et al, 2010). Lead (Pb), Cu and Zn, are the most common elements accumulated by transportation through gasoline, wearing of vehicle parts and oil lubricants (Alloway & Alloway, 1995;Li et al, 2001; Ahmed et al, 2007).…”

“…Lead (Pb), Cu and Zn, are the most common elements accumulated by transportation through gasoline, wearing of vehicle parts and oil lubricants (Alloway & Alloway, 1995;Li et al, 2001; Ahmed et al, 2007). These metals are deposited in the form of dust and can form aerosols to which everyone can be exposed (Guney et al, 2010). The use of large number of old vehicles, poor maintenance of high traffic congestion due to unorganised road networks, poor conditions of roads, construction activities and improper waste disposal methods are common unfriendly environmental practices in developing countries, which can affect the heavy metal contamination in an area.…”

Portable X-Ray Fluorescence as a Rapid Technique for Surveying Elemental Distributions in Soil

“…[1] In urban areas, soil provides recreational and aesthetic features that are deemed necessary for social development. However, due to the increase in human activities, such as traffic, [2] and industry, [3] extensive contamination with heavy metal pollutants in urban soils has occurred over decades. Human exposure to heavy metals results in an accumulation in the fatty tissue of the body, and this in turn affects the central nervous system and internal organs.…”