Roadside Pollution-An Environmental Issue

Roadside Pollution

According to some researchers, a roadside area is formed by the special zone directly adjacent to the crest of the road bed and having typically a width of 10 m. In these areas shows the so-called "marginal" effect of transport on ecosystems and especially on the biota. It is a complete degradation of vegetation cover due to the strong source of pressure. Width of the band "edge" effect, as a rule, increases with lengthening of the life of the road. These preliminary measurements the state of the photosynthetic apparatus of lime trees, which are at different distances from the carriageway of the Lomonosov Moscow prospectus, have shown that the efficiency of photosynthesis is greatly reduced in trees growing near the roadway, and gradually increases to normal values (80%) at 25 m from the road (Allen, 1059).

Accumulation of salts on the roadside also creates a "marginal" effect on the width of 1-3 m. Damage to roadside planting is not observed in the field with the provided drainage. The fact is that the change in soil condition is the result of leakage of the brine in the zone location of vegetation 6-8 m from the carriageway. It should be noted that the high salt content does not have too adverse effect on vegetation, quite remote from the carriageway (no closer than 3-4 m), although it becomes less fluffy. The probability of tree mortality is also significantly reduced when they are planted no closer than 9 m from the edge of the roadway. Moreover, damage to vegetation, reduced salt on fertile soils, especially rich in phosphates. Less inhibitory effect chloride has on plants, planted in light, sandy and sandy loam soils. This is facilitated by features of the physico-chemical properties of light soils: a large porosity, permeability and good air supply. The accumulation of chloride ions in the loamy soil is 2-3 times faster than in the sandy loam (Bewley, 18).

Thus, the level effects of roads on the surrounding area depend not only on the intensity of traffic, but also on climatic conditions. The impact of climatic conditions is discussed in the literature, much less frequently and requires a more detailed description.

Natural and climatic conditions - a complex of factors, which vary depending on the natural area and have a definite effect on the biosphere processes. One of the most important of these factors is the soil conditions. It should be noted that the considerations for road construction soil properties differ significantly from the environmental characteristics of the soil. Stability to chemical pollution of soils is directly related to its properties. The fertile soil of heavy texture with a high humus content link, for example, heavy metals less available for plant form. Soil compaction and disturbance of redox conditions, the increase in acidity or alkalinity increases the mobility of heavy metals. Macro-and trace element composition of the soil can also alter toxicity, such as lead and cadmium, which show antagonism when entering the plant with calcium and phosphorus (DeJager, ...