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Abstract The air pollution is the one of the main sources of soil pollution for the heavy metals such as Cadmium, Lead. Nickel, Zinc, and others. Heavy metal pollutants accumulate on the soil near the Alexandria-Cairo Agricultural Road, causing significant environmental risks. This study aims to study the concentrations of heavy metals on the soil surface of the Abys region around the agricultural road (Alexandria-Cairo). Soil samples were collected on both sides of the agricultural road, as samples were collected on different distances on the road, starting from 0- 50-100-150 and 200 m. Zero - distance, samples were collected at different depths (10 cm-30 cm-60 cm-90 cm). Soil physicochemical properties were studied by measuring the pH - organic matter components of soil and texture. Heavy elements in soil were measured using the Atomic Emission Plasma (ICP- OES) device. The mean concentrations of Cadmium, Cobalt, chromium, Copper, Manganese, Iron, Lead, Nickel and Zinc were 0.66, 8.75, 33.75, 33, 611.5, 28674.5, 28.8, 29.6 and 73.4 mg kg-1, respectively. The results showed that concentrations of heavy metals in soil decrease a lot with distance from the road. Moreover, the levels of these heavy metals in the Abys soil were largely related to their organic matter and pH, and the results also showed that the soil from both sides of the road was low risk for both manganese and copper, relatively moderate for chromium and had a higher risk for cadmium. , nickel, iron and zinc. Fortunately, all heavy metals examined in the Abys area near the highway were below international limits. Conclusion: Roadside soils from different locations in Abys area of Alexandria governate, Egypt were examined for Co, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, and Ni. from the obtained results it could conclude the following: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, and Cu were the most abundant especially in the soil surface. The concertation of heavy metals decreased as the distance increased. These heavy metals cannot undergo decay; therefore, having a potential risk for both human and animals., The concentration of these heavy metals were however below permissible limits set by the FAO, WHO and EU. 3- The study revealed that the metal concentrations in Abys roadside soils followed the sequence: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni >Pb > Co > Cd 4- Fe and Mn having the highest concentration in Abys and fortunately cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) had lower concentrations than all other heavy metals except Co and were found to be still safe under standards as set by international organizations. 5- There are a significant correlation between OM and heavy metals in the sequence Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cr and Co. |