title: Metals in European roadside soils and soil solution--a review.
abstract: This review provides a summary of studies analysing metal concentrations in soils and soil solution at European roadsides. The data collected during 27 studies covering a total of 64 sites across a number of European countries were summarised. Highest median values of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined in the top soil layer at the first 5 m beside the road. Generally, the influence of traffic on soil contamination decreased with increasing soil depth and distance to the road. The concentration patterns of metals in soil solution were independent from concentrations in the soil matrix. At 10-m distance, elevated soil metal concentrations, low pH, and low percolation rates led to high solute concentrations. Directly beside the road, high percolation rates lead to high annual loadings although solute concentrations are comparatively low. These loadings might be problematic, especially in regions with acidic sandy soils and a high groundwater table.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Soil Conservation, Technische Universität Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: moritz.werkenthin@tu-berlin.de.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Werkenthin
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Soil Conservation, Technische Universität Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kluge
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Soil Conservation, Technische Universität Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wessolek
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014186:Transportation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants
keywords: Europe; Heavy metal pattern; Highway; Roadside soils; Soil solution concentration