Abstract
The changing levels of Pb in the soil and vegetation of a small woodland bounded on its southern side by the major London orbital motorway, the M 25, have been investigated over a period of 6 mo. The pattern of Pb deposition, as measured by soil Pb burdens, shows that concentrations decrease with increasing distance from the road. For vegetation sited close to the motorway results indicate that different tree species have different propensities for the capture and retention of Pb. The pattern of Pb deposition throughout the woodland as revealed by bryophyte analysis is also reported. Results suggest that Pb levels are high close to the motorway, as anticipated. However enhanced levels are also to be found on the woodland edges over half a kilometer away.
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Kingston, L., Leharne, S. & McPhee, E. A survey of vehicular lead deposition in a woodland ecosystem. Water Air Soil Pollut 38, 239–250 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00280755
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00280755