Abstract
This study is one of the first works which examined the assessment of heavy metal contamination of pavement-side soils in Algeria. It deals with the section of National Highway 3 (RN3), which crosses the wilaya of Batna. In the environment of sampling sites there is no industry or dangerous activity on the environment, the heavy metals addressed in this study are (Pb, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn), their origin being road traffic. The objectives of this study were to: (1) Determine the concentrations of heavy metals in road dust; (2) Identify the sources of different heavy metals in soils and road dust; (3) Exploring the extent of heavy metal pollution in neighbouring soils. To this end, 33 samples were collected, including 03 road dust and 30 soil samples over different distances from 1m to 80m. The samples were analyzed by FRX. Results indicated that concentrations in road dust were higher than in soil. The distribution of heavy metal concentrations in dust is Fe>Pb>Zn>Cu>Cr>Ni, and the distribution in the ground is Fe>Pb>Cu>Zn>Cr>Ni in the direction of Biskra and in the opposite direction and decreases away from the road, while the distribution in the central solid ground is Fe> Cu>Cr>Pb>Zn>Ni. Climatic conditions such as wind, rainfall, temperature, humidity and the nature of the terrain were also significantly related to their enrichment in these roadside soils. The enrichment factor (EF) and the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were calculated, as well as all elements with a (EF) that ranges from moderate to high to extremely contaminated, reflecting the high anthropogenic load of these metals in the study area and the results of the Igéo accumulation indices confirm the results obtained for the enrichment factor (EF). Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091736 Full Text: PDF
Highlights
Heavy metal soil pollution in rural areas near major highways is a major issue in roads with varying loads of traffic in rural areas
The results show that heavy metals concentrations in road dust are higher than those found in soils, and that heavy metals in soils decrease in soils by moving away from the road axis Tables 1, 2 and 3
It has been observed that the transport of dust through the various channels affects directly the quality and degree of soil pollution, which is confirmed by the differences in the concentrations of heavy metals in the two directions of the road as shown in Figures 8 to 10
Summary
Heavy metal soil pollution in rural areas near major highways is a major issue in roads with varying loads of traffic in rural areas. Traffic in major Algerian roads in rural areas is one of the sources of roadside soil pollution, especially with regard to heavy metal concentrations and their impact on the immediate environment of the road. For this purpose, it is necessary to identify, assess and quantify the concentrations of heavy metals in road dust and in the adjacent soil arable layer. Whereas traffic-related emissions dominate metal pollution in road dust [6, 7]. This can contribute to the enrichment of the Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn elements [8, 9].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
