DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF HEAVY METALS IN ROADSIDE SOILS ALONG THE MAJOR HIGHWAYS PASSING THROUGH LUCKNOW DISTRICT, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
Keywords:
Heavy metals, Spatial distribution, Contamination factor, Pollution Load Index, Background Values.Abstract
In present study spatial distribution and contamination assessment ofheavy metals in roadside soils along the
three main highways of Lucknow disrict was conducted. A total of 270 surface soil samples were collected along the
three main highwaysduring winter, summer and monsoon season at three different distances from the highways.The soil
samples were digested by HClO4, HF, HNO3 followed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the analysis of heavy
metals.Average concentrations of Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu &Cd in surface soils being 10253.24±2342.7, 72.10±14.09,
13.22±5.15, 4.80±1.82,64.78±21.60,12.27±5.35 and 0.16±0.07µg/g respectively.Results show that concentration of
heavy metals tends to decrease with increasing distance from the highways.Correlation matrix analysis explains
thatZn/Cu, Zn/Pb, Fe/Zn, Fe/Cu& Cd/Ni pair showssignificant positive correlation andimpliesthat major source for
heavy metals in roadside environment arevehicular activities. Overall decreasing order for heavy metal contamination
for all distances is as follows: Zn>Fe >Cu >Pb>Cd>Ni>Mn.Pollution load index is more than double for all three
highways.Concentrations of metals in surface soils are in safe limits of Indian standard for agriculture soil but higher
than the background values. Soil pH ranging from 7.12-8.82 shows alkaline dust depositions in surface soils. Organic
carbon % values from 130.12-638.00 suggests that road side soils are important sink of nearby organic matter
