Spatial Analysis of Heavy Metal Pollution in Road-Deposited Sediments Based on the Traffic Intensity of a Megacity

Abstract

Population growth has led to the intensification of average daily traffic (ADT), highlighting vehicles as one of the major sources of heavy metal (HM) pollution in cities. The objective of this paper is to conduct a spatial analysis of the HM pollution associated with road-deposited sediments (RDSs), based on the ADT observed in the main roads of a Latin American megacity (Bogotá, Colombia). The following risk indices were considered: Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Integrated Pollution Index (IPI), Ecological Risk Index (ERI), Comprehensive Potential Ecological Risk Index (CERI), Hazard Index (HI), and Carcinogenic Risk Index (CRI). The findings confirm that a size fraction 2 > 0.910) compared to the linear regression models developed between ADT and HM concentrations (R2 > 0.322).

Keywords

• heavy metal
• megacity
• road-deposited sediment
• traffic intensity
• urban pollution