metal ions in roadside soils

A study was performed to determine the levels of heavy metals pollution originating from the traffic of Yozgat-Turkey. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from 8 roadside stations during October 1998, January 1999 and April 1999. Copper, nickel, lead, cobalt, iron, manganese, zinc, chromium and cadmium concentrations of the soil samples were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry after leaching with aqua regia. While iron and manganese contents of the soil samples. remain nearly at the same levels in all stations throughout all seasons, the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, Co and Zn were found at different levels depending on the traffic density