Comparing heavy metal contents of roadside soils with coastal area soils

Abstract

In this study, accumulation of heavy metals in roadside soils was investigated. Soil samples were taken from the refuges of main road (polluted positions) and from the coastal areas (unpolluted positions) far away from the intensive traffic. Iron, zinc, copper and nickel contents of soil samples changed with the sampling positions. There were significant differences (P<0.01) among the locations for lead contents of soils. The mean lead contents in unpolluted positions and polluted positions were determined as 0.581 ppm and 0.887 ppm, respectively. The percentage increases in heavy metal concentrations in polluted positions according to unpolluted positions were obtained for zinc (374.16 %), copper (291.40 %), lead (236.41 %) and nickel (736.87 %).