Determination of Heavy Metal Pollution Caused by Motor Vehicles: Şanlıurfa-Viranşehir Highway Example

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the distance dependent changeability of heavy metal accumulation in the soil along highways, which is caused by vehicle traffic. Soil samples were taken along North and South side of the highway at 6 seperate sites with 2 km distance, from points 0, 15, 30 and 60 meter distance from the highway at each site in Şanlıurfa- Viranşehir. Four samples were taken from 0-15 cm depth at each point, making a total of 96 measurements. Obtained results were evaluated statistically and lead, nickel, cadmium, cupper, chrome and zinc values were found inside permissible limits depending on distance. It was also observed that the heavy metal concentration decreases with increasing distance away from the highway. These results suggest that the pollution in the samples was caused by vehicle traffic. © 2016, Centenary University. All rights reserved.