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Relationships between Heavy Metal Concentrations in Roadside Topsoil and Distance to Road Edge Based on Field Observations in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

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  • Xuedong Yan

    (MOE Key Laboratory for Urban Transportation Complex Systems Theory and Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Dan Gao

    (MOE Key Laboratory for Urban Transportation Complex Systems Theory and Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Fan Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Chen Zeng

    (Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Wang Xiang

    (MOE Key Laboratory for Urban Transportation Complex Systems Theory and Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Man Zhang

    (MOE Key Laboratory for Urban Transportation Complex Systems Theory and Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China)

Abstract

This study investigated the spatial distribution of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) in roadside topsoil in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and evaluated the potential environmental risks of these roadside heavy metals due to traffic emissions. A total of 120 topsoil samples were collected along five road segments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The nonlinear regression method was used to formulize the relationship between the metal concentrations in roadside soils and roadside distance. The Hakanson potential ecological risk index method was applied to assess the degrees of heavy metal contaminations. The regression results showed that both of the heavy metals’ concentrations and their ecological risk indices decreased exponentially with the increase of roadside distance. The large R square values of the regression models indicate that the exponential regression method can suitably describe the relationship between heavy metal accumulation and roadside distance. For the entire study region, there was a moderate level of potential ecological risk within a 10 m roadside distance. However, Cd was the only prominent heavy metal which posed potential hazard to the local soil ecosystem. Overall, the rank of risk contribution to the local environments among the eight heavy metals was Cd > As > Ni > Pb > Cu > Co > Zn > Cr. Considering that Cd is a more hazardous heavy metal than other elements for public health, the local government should pay special attention to this traffic-related environmental issue.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuedong Yan & Dan Gao & Fan Zhang & Chen Zeng & Wang Xiang & Man Zhang, 2013. "Relationships between Heavy Metal Concentrations in Roadside Topsoil and Distance to Road Edge Based on Field Observations in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:10:y:2013:i:3:p:762-775:d:23773
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fan Zhang & Xuedong Yan & Chen Zeng & Man Zhang & Suraj Shrestha & Lochan Prasad Devkota & Tandong Yao, 2012. "Influence of Traffic Activity on Heavy Metal Concentrations of Roadside Farmland Soil in Mountainous Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-17, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhuocheng Liu & Yangang Yang & Shuangxuan Ji & Di Dong & Yinruizhi Li & Mengdi Wang & Liebao Han & Xueping Chen, 2021. "Effects of Elevation and Distance from Highway on the Abundance and Community Structure of Bacteria in Soil along Qinghai-Tibet Highway," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-30, December.
    2. Xiaohong Ou & Li Wang & Lanping Guo & Xiuming Cui & Dahui Liu & Ye Yang, 2016. "Soil-Plant Metal Relations in Panax notoginseng : An Ecosystem Health Risk Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Yanhui Guo & Yongfeng Xu & Chenming Zhu & Pingping Li & Yongli Zhu & Jiangang Han, 2022. "How Does Adjacent Land Use Influence Sediment Metals Content and Potential Ecological Risk in the Hongze Lake Wetland?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Hong Wang & Lei Nie & Yan Xu & Chao Du & Tao Zhang & Yuzheng Wang, 2018. "Effects of Highway-Related Pollutant on the Groundwater Quality of Turfy Swamps in the Changbai Mountain Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Maja Radziemska & Joanna Fronczyk, 2015. "Level and Contamination Assessment of Soil along an Expressway in an Ecologically Valuable Area in Central Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-16, October.
    6. Wenxia Gan & Yuxuan Zhang & Jinying Xu & Ruqin Yang & Anna Xiao & Xiaodi Hu, 2023. "Spatial Distribution of Soil Heavy Metal Concentrations in Road-Neighboring Areas Using UAV-Based Hyperspectral Remote Sensing and GIS Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, June.

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