Prof. Hassan Hamza Abbas Ramdan :: Publications:

This study was conducted to monitor the impact of motorcar exhaust on polluting soil on roadsides with (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and Ni) and consequences on wheat plant. The soils were at Kafr Abou-Gomma, Kalubia, east and west of Cairo-Alexandria Agricultural highway. Twenty four soil samples were collected from both sides of the road at 4 different distances i.e. 0, 50, 100 and 300 m. Samples of wheat plants Triticum vulgare (Giza 164) at complete maturity were taken from each location, for analysis of roots, stems, leaves and grains. Total and ~HC03-DTP A extractable Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu ,Pb, Cd and Ni were determined. There was a decrease by increasing distance from the road and also by increasing depth of soil. All of the nutritive elements i.e Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were within the normal levels of the uncontaminated soils whereas the nonnutritive ones i.e. Pb , Cd and Ni exceeded such levels especially within the 50 m distance from the road. Dry matter weight and the 1000-grains weight increased with increasing distance from the road. Concentrations of Pb and Cd in organs of wheat plants were highest in leaves followed by roots then stems, and were lowest in grains (flour and bran). Plants adjacent to the main road showed higher contents of such elements than those away from it. Concentrations of Ni in wheat plants were highest in roots followed by leaves and stems,then grains (flour and bran).