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Contamination Of Roadside Soil, Plants, And Air With Heavy Metals In Jordan, A Comparative Study, Quasem M. Jaradat, Kamal A. Momani

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in surface soil, plants, and air samples taken from both sides of the major highway connecting Amman with the southern parts of Jordan. Elevated levels of the studied elements were found in both soil and plants on the east side and on the west side of the road compared with the background values. The higher levels of heavy metals east of the road were due to the westerly prevailing wind at the sampling sites. The comtamination decreased exponentially with distance from the edge of the road and dropped …