Abstract
Roadside dust can contain particulates enriched with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) as a result of the degradation of mechanical vehicular parts, tyre wear and combustion processes. To assess the potential accumulation of these metals in roadside areas, a snapshot study was carried out, investigating metal content at rural and urban locations in central Scotland. Samples of road dust were collected at six sites representing low, medium and high traffic intensity at rural and urban locations. The samples were separated based on particle size and analysed for heavy metal content using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) after acid digestion. The metals analysed were aluminium (Al), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). The rural area measurements were carried out in West Lothian, approximately 13 to 17 miles west of the city of Edinburgh (UK). The urban area measurements were carried out in the southern part of the Edinburgh city district (UK). Concentrations of Cu, Cr and Zn were found to correlate with traffic intensity, although only Cu and Zn concentrations exceed recommended EC directive 86/278/EEC guidelines for urban runoff materials. The metal concentrations of small particles (0.45–20 μm) were exceedingly high in both Cu and Zn at areas of high traffic intensity, indicating potential areas of concern regarding health impacts for pedestrians and cyclists who are exposed to roadside dust on a regular basis.
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This work was funded by the University of Edinburgh School of Chemistry MSc research fund for students, supported by contribution from the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCaPE programme delivering National Capability.
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N. Cowan carried out the field work, sample collection, data analysis and writing of the manuscript. D. Blair assisted in sample preparation and carried out analysis of metal concentrations using ICP-MS instrumentation. H. Malcolm assisted with writing of the manuscript, and contributed to the discussion section of the study. M. Graham supervised the logistics and scope of the study, analysis laboratory and manuscript preparation. All coauthors assisted in the production of the manuscript.
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Cowan, N., Blair, D., Malcolm, H. et al. A survey of heavy metal contents of rural and urban roadside dusts: comparisons at low, medium and high traffic sites in Central Scotland. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 7365–7378 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11081-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11081-8