Identification of pollution sources in roadside soils of Cairo-Alexandria Highway, Egypt

Nile Delta represents 63% of Egypt’s fertile agricultural land. Unfortunately, food chain contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) was recorded along Cairo- Alexandria Highway within Delta. This paper aims to identify pollution sources PTEs (Cd, Pb, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Mn), using multivariate statistics. Generally, the studied soil is alkaline loam about 3.69% CaCO3 1.97% organic matter. Pollution levels varied widely from uncontaminated highly contaminated soil. Cd, Ni showed spatial variability, relatively high enrichment, reflecting their anthropogenic sources. Mn Cr show more uniform distribution, natural source geologic parent material Egyptian Surprisingly, no significant road traffic impact observed at sampling sites. Multivariate analysis indicates P-fertilizer main rather than in roadside soils. The prevailing fertilizers as a may be referred expansion use unleaded fuel continuous increase annual fertilization rate.