Potential Ecological Risk Assessment of Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in Roadside Soils

Abstract

The present study seeks to both estimate and analyze the rate of heavy metal changes in soils of road margins affected by the traffic on Fasa-Darab road, Iran. Muller index, contamination factor (CF), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated to determine the contamination rate. Principal component analysis (PCA) was also employed to determine the most relevant parameters affecting the PERI. The maximum amount of heavy metal contamination (2.5 mg/kg) occurred at the nearest road distance, i.e. 2 meters. The results of the Igeo index show that these elements are naturally present in the soil, albeit anthropogenic activity caused an increase in the concentration of these metals in soil. Results of the CF index showed that Ni, Cu, and Zn values were less than 1, indicative of low contamination, whereas, Pb contamination, with values ranging from 3-6 was indicative of high pollution. The PLI results for the most polluted stations showed that stations 14 and 23 were classified as very high contamination and other stations as uncontaminated. The results of clustering data showed the data was in two pollution classes. As maintained by the findings, the first component contributed to 44.98% of the changes and included the Cd, CFCd, RI, Igeo(Cd) parameters, while the second component represented 27.83% of the changes, containing parameters Pb, Igeo(Pb), CFPb. Therefore, Pb and Cd are the most relevant parameters in the analysis of PERI within the study area.

Assessment of Phytotoxicity, Environmental and Health Risks of the Largest Czech Highway

“…Therefore, the elements Pb and Hg can be considered risky, the contamination factor (C f i ) value of which increased moderately compared to the pre-industrial period [32,33]. Similar conclusions were reached in a study conducted by Negahban and Mokarram [31], who found that around roads there is an increase in (C f i ) especially for Pb. Cu values were not significantly increased.…”

“…Based on this factor, the authors evaluate the degree of contamination of agricultural land and determine whether this land will be healthy enough to provide sustenance for an ever-increasing population. This factor is widely used and serves to compare how much the given soil is contaminated with risk elements compared to pre-industrial times [31]. This indicator thus gives a clear answer as to whether soil contamination has occurred or not.…”

Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination Impact in Maize Growing Along the Roadside

“…A significant effect of metal accumulation on growth and physiology was observed at 10m from the road. According to Negahban and Mokarram (2021). Maximum concentration (2.5 mg/kg) of heavy metal was recorded near roadside because anthropogenic activities increase the accumulation of naturally occurring heavy metal in soil.…”

Quantitative Source Apportionment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Baoshan Soils Employing Combined Receptor Models

“…Still, previous studies have only evaluated the risk of soil contamination in Baoshan and have not distinguished the sources of contamination [ 23 ]. Thus, we must understand the sources of PTE pollution in arable land to protect it [ 24 , 25 ].…”