Roadside accumulation of heavy metals in soils in Franklin County, Massachusetts, and surrounding towns

Metals cycle through the environment, and although many metals are required by biota, several have no known biological function and can be toxic. Metal concentrations [cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron ( Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), palladium (Pd), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn)] are surveyed with an eye toward soil chemistry, environmental and anthropogenic conditions, and potential remediation in 15 locations in and adjacent to Franklin County, MA. Road-condition information was gathered, soil pH determined, and soils analyzed for soil metal content via a five-phase sequential extraction and ICPAES analyses. Results indicate the majority of similarities are linked to soil pH and soil geochemistry, with only a few metals (Cr, Pb, and Zn) showing clear anthropogenic trends.