Accumulation of lead in the soil and vegetable crops along Darna District

Abstract

Lead pollution causes a big problem to the environment, and it was the core of many studies by workers who are concerned and care about clean environment. In this work we have studied the effect of lead concentration in soil and vegetables crops among Darna city highways with high traffic density. Soil and vegetables samples a long highway were collected from 10 sites in Darna district (Libya) and analyzed for lead using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). Decrease in the concentration of this metal was related to the distance away from the highway. Higher accumulation of this metal have been observed on soil and vegetables sample near to the highway than one a little farther away (5-15m) which showed no significant accumulation of this metal. This could be explained mainly to the aerial deposition of the metal particularly from motor vehicles.