Potential Ecological Risk Assessment of Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in Roadside Soils

The present study seeks to both estimate and analyze the rate of heavy metal changes in soils road margins affected by traffic on Fasa-Darab Road, Iran. Muller index, contamination factor (CF), Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), potential ecological risk (PERI), pollution load (PLI) were calculated determine rate. Principal component analysis was also employed most relevant parameters affecting PERI. maximum amount (2.5 mg/kg) occurred at nearest distance, that is, 2 m. results Igeo show these elements are naturally soil, albeit anthropogenic activity caused an increase concentration metals soil. Results CF showed Ni, Cu, Zn values less than 1, indicative low contamination, whereas Pb with ranging from 3 6 high pollution. PLI for polluted stations 14 23 classified as very other uncontaminated. clustering data two classes. As maintained findings, first contributed 44.98% included Cd, CFCd, RI, Igeo(Cd) parameters, while second represented 27.83% changes, containing Pb, Igeo(Pb), CFPb. Therefore, Cd PERI within area.