ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN ROADSIDE SOILS NEAR AN ALGERIAN NATIONAL ROAD

This study assesses and quantifies the contamination by heavy metals from soils near a road in western Algeria (RN35, Tlemcen). The physicochemical parameters of soils and total heavy metals concentrations were determined using standardized methods and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. The results showed that most of the soils were contaminated with cadmium, lead and zinc in a concentration ranges of 1.47 to 3.00 mg/kg for Cd; 8.00 to 39.75 mg/kg for Cu; 16.75 to 301.25 mg/kg for Pb and 68.00 to 1952.50 mg/kg for Zn. Pollution index of seven soils samples exceeds unity evoking significant polymetallic pollution. Monitoring measures and reduction lead content in gasoline should be taken into consideration in order to reduce concentrations of these pollutants and avoid their introduction into the environment and contamination of groundwater, wildlife and local flora.