Geo-environmental study of heavy metals of the agricultural highway soils, NW Jordan

Abstract

This study investigated the status and distribution patterns of selected heavy metals in roadside soils along Irbid-North Shooneh Highway, Jordan. This highway has experienced a growing number of vehicles that are likely to influence the levels of heavy metals in the surrounding agricultural lands. The average concentrations of Cr, Co, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni were 16.0, 36.0, 11.0, 4.0, 79.0, 122.0, and 60.0 mg/kg, respectively. Cd, Pb, and Co showed average levels that are higher than the average world soil background values. Elevated levels of heavy metals were measured in surface soil layer which decreased with depth, and with distance from the roadway. The contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), single ecological risk (Ei), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) generally indicated that the roadside soils are contaminated with Cd, Pb, and Ni. Heavy metals in soils are of geogenic and anthropogenic origins. Weathering of parent rocks in Wadi Al-Arab catchment is the primary natural source, whereas agrochemicals, vehicle exhausts, degradation of surface wear and paint of vehicles, vehicle wear debris of tire, and brake lining are the main anthropogenic sources of heavy metals.