A Study of Changes in Lead Concentrations in Soils in the Andimeshk - Shoosh Highway Margin

Lead from Vehicle Fuels as the Most Important and the Largest Source of Environmental Pollution.Given the daily increasing global pollution and with regard to the stability of heavy metals in soil and their devastating effects on the ecosystems, this research was conducted on Lead pollution in Andimeshk - Shoosh Highway. The purpose of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of Lead in the soil. In this regard, three stations including Andimeshk, Azadi town and Shoosh were selected. At each station, soil sampling was performed in three replications from distances of 15, 50 and 100 meters from the margin of the road and depths of 0-15 cm. Values for pH, lime percentage, organic matter, CEC, soil texture and absorbable concentration of Lead were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The results indicated that the Lead concentrations decreased with taking distance from the margin of the road. The mean Leadconcentrations at 15, 50 and 100 meters were measured 3.01,2.29and2.04(μg/kg), respectively. Moreover, the results showed that the concentrations of Lead declined from Andimeshk to Shoosh so that the mean Lead concentrations in Andimeshk, Azadi town and Shoosh stations were 2.49, 2.24and2.45 (μg/kg), respectively.