Accumulation of trace metals in soil and trees by the highway passing through an ecological heritage area.
Upasona Devi, Hoque R. R., Sarma K. P.
Author Affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India.
Journal of Environmental Research and Development 9 : 605-612
Abstract : Multi element profile of roadside soil and barks of trees grown in roadside were analyzed in samples collected from NH-37 that passes through Kaziranga National Park, which has been recognized as an World heritage site by UNESCO. The concentration of metals in both the matrices shows sever input from anthropogenic sources. The Enrichment Factor (EF) calculated for metals of roadside soil showed enrichment of Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb. The EF and transfer factors calculated for roadside plants showed metal accumulation in the barks of trees grown in roadside of the highway. The Pearson's correlation showed inter-metal relationship and the pattern of relationships suggested vehicular contribution of the metals originating from the highway.