Multi-element preconcentration of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by APDC impregnated activated carbon

Ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate impregnated activated carbon (APDC-AC) has been used for the preconcentration of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) from aqueous solution by column solid phase extraction (SPE) technique. Trace metal ions in aqueous solution were quantitatively sorbed onto APDC-AC packed in a SPE column at pH 5.0 with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. The sorbed metals were eluted with 1 M nitric acid in acetone solution at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min⁻¹ and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of sample volume, amount of APDC-AC, volume of eluent and ionic strength of working solution on metal ion recovery have been investigated. The present methodology gave recoveries from 90 to 106% and R.S.D. from 0.6 to 5.5%.     

Solid Phase Extraction of Trace Metals in Seawater Using Morpholine Dithiocarbamate‐Loaded Amberlite XAD‐4 and Determination by ICP‐AES

Abstract

Application of morpholine dithiocarbamate (MDTC) coated Amberlite XAD‐4, for preconcentration of Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) by solid phase extraction and determination by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry (AES) was studied. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption of Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), and Mn(II) were 6.5–8.0, 7.0–8.5, 6.0–8.5, 6.5–8.5, 7.5–9.0, and 8.0–8.5, respectively. The metals were desorbed with 2 mol L^?1. The t_1/2 values for sorption of metal ions were 2.6, 2.9, 2.5, 2.6, 3.0, and 3.8 min respectively for Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II). The effect of diverse ions on the determination of the previously named metals was studied. Simultaneous enrichment of the six metals was accomplished, and the method was applied for use in the determination of trace metal ions in seawater samples.     

Preconcentration of trace metals on Amberlite XAD-4 resin coated with dithiocarbamates and determination by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry in saline matrices

Preconcentration of Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) in saline matrices on Amberlite XAD-4 resins coated with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) and piperidine dithiocarbamate (pipDTC) and subsequent determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry were studied. Parameters such as effect of pH, effect of HNO(3) concentration on elution of metals from resin were studied. The results show that Amberlite XAD-4 coated with APDC was more efficient in the recovery of metal ions compared with Amberlite XAD-4 coated with pipDTC, in the concentration range of 0.1-200 mug l(-1), for 1 g of Amberlite XAD-4 coated resin. The detection limits for Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Zn(II) are 0.1, 0.4, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.5 mug l(-1), respectively, for resin coated with APDC and 0.7, 1.0, 0.8, 0.9, 1.7 and 1.2 mug l(-1) for resin coated with pipDTC. The effect of diverse ions on the determination of aforesaid metals was studied. The method was applied for the determination of trace metal ions in artificial sea water and natural water samples. The results were compared with extraction AAS method.     

Extraction into methyl isobutyl ketone of metal complexes with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate formed in strongly acidic media

It is shown that stable metal complexes with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) are formed in strongly acidic (0.5–6 M) solutions and can be extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), although APDC is normally used for extractions from solutions at pH 2–12. Percentage extraction curves are presented for 24 elements (Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hg, In, It, Ni, Os, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, Sb, Sn, Tl and Zn) from solutions of hydrochloric or nitric acid with and without addition of APDC. Some elements (e.g., Fe, Ga, Ge, In and Au) show identical extractions as their chloro complexes in hydrochloric acid with or without APDC. Others (e.g., Ni, Cu, Pd, As, Ag, Sb, It, Hg and Bi) are strongly extracted (K_d ? 20), from 2 M hydrochloric or nitric acid in the presence of APDC. Palladium (K_d = 8000), Sb (K_d = 10 000), and Bi (K_d = 3500) are particularly easily extracted. The potential of the extraction system was tested by extraction and quantification of palladium from the CANMET standard ore PTC-1; the mean value found was 12.55 μg g^?1 (ppm) palladium with a relative standard deviation of 7.6% (n = 12) and a relative error of 1.2% from the recommended value of 12.70 μg g^?1.     

A novel magnetic metal organic framework nanocomposite for extraction and preconcentration of heavy metal ions, and its optimization via experimental design methodology

We describe a novel magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF) prepared from dithizone-modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and a copper-(benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) MOF and its use in the preconcentration of Cd(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) ions. The parameters affecting preconcentration were optimized by a Box-Behnken design through response surface methodology. Three variables (extraction time, amount of the magnetic sorbent, and pH value) were selected as the main factors affecting adsorption, while four variables (type, volume and concentration of the eluent; desorption time) were selected for desorption in the optimization study. Following preconcentration and elution, the ions were quantified by FAAS. The limits of detection are 0.12, 0.39, 0.98, and 1.2 ng mL^?1 for Cd(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions, respectively. The relative standard deviations were <4.5 % for five separate batch determinations of 50 ng mL^?1 of Cd(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions. The adsorption capacities (in mg g^?1) of this new MOF are 188 for Cd(II), 104 for Pb(II), 98 Ni(II), and 206 for Zn(II). The magnetic MOF nanocomposite has a higher capacity than the Fe₃O₄/dithizone conjugate. This magnetic MOF nanocomposite was successfully applied to the rapid extraction of trace quantities of heavy metal ions in fish, sediment, soil, and water samples.

Extraction systems of flame atomic absorption determination of trace impurities in high purity nickel salts

Summary Different extraction sytems including long chain quaternary alkylammonium salts and APDC were investigated in order to determine the optimal conditions for extraction separation and preconcentration of traces of Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mo, Pb, Sb and Zn from high purity NiSO₄·6H₂O, NiCl₂·6H₂O, Ni(OOCCH₃)₂·4H₂O and Ni(NO)₃)₂·6 H₂O. Best results for multielement preconcentration were found with the extraction system HCl-trioctylmethylammonium chloride-0,002 mol/l APDC/MIBK. The proposed method permits the flame atomic absorption determination of 5·10^–6%, Ag, Cd, Cu and Zn, 1·10^–5% Bi, Fe, Pb and 5·10^–5% Mo and Sb with good accuracy and precision.     

Solid phase extraction of heavy metal ions based on a novel functionalized magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube composite with the aid of experimental design methodology

We report that magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes functionalized with 8-aminoquinoline can be applied to the preconcentration of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions. The parameters affecting preconcentration were optimized by a Box-Behnken design through response surface methodology. Three variables (extraction time, magnetic sorbent amount, and pH value) were selected as the main factors affecting sorption, and four variables (type, volume and concentration of the eluent; elution time) were selected for optimizing elution. Following sorption and elution, the ions were quantified by FAAS. The LODs are 0.09, 0.72, and 1.0 ng mL^?1 for Cd(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions, respectively. The relative standard deviations are <5.1 % for five separate batch determinations at 30 ng mL^?1 level of Cd(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions. The sorption capacities (in mg g^?1) of this new sorbent are 201 for Cd(II), 150 for Pb(II), and 172 Ni(II). The composite was successfully applied to the rapid extraction of trace quantities of heavy metal ions in fish, sediment, soil, and water samples.

Activated carbon cloth filled pipette tip for solid phase extraction of nickel(II), lead(II), cadmium(II), copper(II) and cobalt(II) as 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol chelates for ultra-trace detection by FAAS

A solid phase extraction method is established for preconcentration of nickel, lead, cadmium, copper and cobalt using pipette tip solid phase extraction. The presented process was dependent on chelation of analytes with 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol, then allowing the solution to flow through an activated carbon cloth packed pipette tip. The adsorbed metal chelates on the surface of activated carbon cloth were eluted by 5 mL of 3 M HNO₃. The concentrations of nickel, lead, cadmium, copper and cobalt were detected using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). The pipette tip solid phase extraction exhibit a preconcentration factor of 120. The limit of detection values were 2.7, 1.7, 1.3, 2.0 and 2.9 µg L^?1 for Ni(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Co(II), respectively. Validation of the method was checked by the analysis of TMDA-53.3 and TMDA-64.2 certified reference materials. The method was successfully applied for water and fertiliser samples.     

Preparation of morin modified nanometer SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as a sorbent for solid-phase extraction of trace heavy metals from biological and natural water samples

Morin was successful as a chemical modifier to improve the reactivity of the nanometer SiO₂ surface in terms of selective binding and extraction of heavy metal ions. This new functionalized nanometer SiO₂ (nanometer SiO₂-morin) was used as an effective sorbent for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Zn(II) in solutions prior to its determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Experimental conditions for effective adsorption of trace levels of metal ions were optimized with respect to different experimental parameters using static and dynamic procedures in detail. The pH 4.0 was chosen as the optimum pH value for the separation of metal ions on the newly sorbent. Complete elution of the adsorbed metal ions from the nanometer SiO₂-morin was carried out using 2.0 mL of 0.5 mol L⁻¹ of HCl. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation and determination at pH 4.0. The maximum static adsorption capacity of the sorbent at optimum conditions was found to be 22.36, 36.8, 40.37, 33.21 and 25.99 mg metal/g SiO₂-morin for Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II), respectively. The time for 95% sorption for Cu(II) and Ni(II) and 70% sorption for Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) was less than 2 min. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method under optimum conditions was lower than 5.0% (n = 11). The procedure was validated by analyzing the certified reference river sediment material (GBW 08301, China), the results obtained were in good agreement with standard values. The nanometer SiO₂-morin was successfully employed in the separation and preconcentration of trace Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from the biological and natural water samples yielding 75-folds concentration factor.     

Comparison of liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and co-precipitation preconcentration methods for the determination of cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc in seawater

Three major types of pre-concentration methods were evaluated and optimised for the extraction and determination of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn from seawater samples. The traditional APDC/DDDC-Freon liquid-liquid extraction method showed excellent results for a multi-elemental analysis. However, the technique is labour consuming, very sensitive to operational conditions, employs environmentally unsafe and expensive solvents and requires large sample volumes. In the solid phase extraction method, the performances of a traditional Amberlite XAD-4 and a novel Dowex Optipore V-493 were evaluated. Application of Dowex Optipore V-493 resin provided better results at low concentrations than the generally used Amberlite XAD-4 resin using low sample volumes. However, the presence of natural organic compounds may decrease extraction efficiency of both resins for Cu. Thus, a pre-treatment with UV irradiation is advantageous for samples with high organic content. Cobalt co-precipitation methods showed good Cu and Ni recoveries, but gave poor results for Cd at low concentrations. In addition, high sample volumes are required. Both solid phase and co-precipitation methods showed unsatisfactory results in determination of Pb. Finally, a summary of methods advantages are given for choosing the most suitable method.     

Column solid-phase extraction with Chromosorb-102 resin and determination of trace elements in water and sediment samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A column, solid-phase extraction (SPE), preconcentration method was developed for determination of Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb ions in drinking water, sea water and sediment samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The procedure is based on retention of analytes in the form of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate complexes on a short column of Chromosorb-102 resin from buffered sample solution and then their elution from the resin column with acetone. Several parameters, such as pH of the sample solution, amount of Chromosorb-102 resin, amount of ligand, volume of sample and eluent, type of eluent, flow rates of sample and eluent, governing the efficiency and throughput of the method were evaluated. The effects of divers ions on the preconcentration were also investigated. The recoveries were >95%. The developed method was applied to the determination of trace metal ions in drinking water, sea water and sediment samples, with satisfactory results. The 3σ detection limits for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb and were found to be as 0.10, 0.44, 11, 3.6, and 10 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The relative standard deviation of the determination was <10%. The procedure was validated by the analysis of a standard reference material sediment (GBW 07309) and by use of a method based on coprecipitation.     

Solid-phase extraction using multiwalled carbon nanotubes and quinalizarin for preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of some heavy metals in food,water and environmental samples

A solid phase extraction procedure has been developed using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a solid sorbent and quinalizarin [1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione] as a chelating agent for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of some heavy metal ions, Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) before their determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The influences of the analytical parameters, including pH, amounts of quinalizarin and adsorbent, sample volume, elution conditions such as volume and concentration of eluent, flow rates of solution and matrix ions, were investigated for the optimum recoveries of the analyte ions. No interference effects were observed from the foreign metal ions. The preconcentration factor was 100. The detection limit (LOD) for the investigated metals at the optimal conditions were observed in the range of 0.30–0.65 μg L^?1. The relative standard deviation (RSDs), and the recoveries of standard addition for this method were lower than 5.0% and 96–102%, respectively. The new procedure was successfully applied to the determination of analytes in food, water and environmental samples with satisfactory results.     

Determination of trace levels of heavy metals in waters by extraction with ammonium tetramethylenedithiocarbamate and hexamethyleneammonium hexamethylenedithiocarbamate into xylene followed by inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry

The determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in river and sea water by inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry after extraction with a mixture of ammonium tetramethylenedithiocarbamate (APDC) and hexamethyleneammonium hexamethylenedithiocarbamate into xylene is described. All these elements are simultaneously concentrated 100-fold in a single extract and directly introduced into the plasma. The pH dependences of the extraction and the stabilities of the complexes are reported. The limits of detection of the method range from 0.017 ng ml^?1 (cadmium) to 0.5 ng ml^?1 (lead). With 100-fold concentration factors, calibration graphs are linear up to 30 ng ml^?1 or more.     

Nanoparticles decorated with a Schiff's base for the microextraction of Cd,Pb, Ni,and Co in environmental samples

In this paper, we report a new liquid–liquid microextraction procedure called “nanoparticles decorated with a Schiff's base for the microextraction of Cd, Pb, Ni, and Co in environmental samples”. The developed procedure was utilized for the extraction of Cd, Pb, Ni, and Co in environmental samples. The Schiff's base was formed by reacting salicylaldehyde with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane‐functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles. Analyte extraction was conducted in a capillary column system loaded with modified nanoparticles and triton X‐114 as dispersion medium. 1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was employed as an extraction solvent. Acidified methanol in ultrasonic bath was used as desorption solvent, and elemental determination was carried out with flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Characterization of modified nanoparticles was performed with FTIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Solution pH, nanoparticles amount, dispersant concentration, ionic liquid, and temperature were optimized for the extraction. Detection limits obtained for Cd, Pb, Ni, and Co were 0.183, 0.201, 0.241, and 0.192 μg L^?1, respectively, and enhancement factors were 79.1, 86.4, 95.7, and 82.0, respectively. The reproducibility of the developed procedure was in the range of 3.98–5.10%. Validation was checked by applying the developed procedure on certified reference water samples. The microextraction based on nanoparticles decorated with Schiff's base was successfully applied for the extraction of Cd, Pb, Ni, and Co in real environmental water samples.     

Solid phase extraction and diffusive gradients in thin films techniques for determination of total and labile concentrations of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) in Black Sea water

Total dissolved and labile concentrations of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) were determined at six locations of the Bourgas Gulf of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Solid phase extraction procedure based on monodisperse, submicrometer silica spheres modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane followed by the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was developed and applied to quantify the total dissolved metal concentrations in sea water. Quantitative sorption of Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb was achieved in the pH range 7.5–8, for 30?min, adsorbed elements were easily eluted with 2?mL 2?mol?L^?1 HNO₃. Since the optimal pH for quantitative sorption coincides with typical pH of Black Sea water (7.9–8.2), on-site pre-concentration of the analytes without any additional treatment was possible. Detection limits achieved for total dissolved metal quantification were: Cd 0.002?µg?L^?1, Cu 0.005?µg?L^?1, Ni 0.03?µg?L^?1, Pb 0.02?µg?L^?1 and relative standard deviations varied from 5–13% for all studied elements (for typical Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb concentrations in Black Sea water). Open pore diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique was employed for in-situ sampling and pre-concentration of the sea water and in combination with ETAAS was used to determine the proportion of dynamic (mobile and kinetically labile) species of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) in the sea water. Obtained results showed strong complexation for Cu and Pb with sea water dissolved organic matter. The ratios between DGT-labile and total dissolved concentrations found for Cu(II) and Pb(II) were in the range 0.2–0.4. For Cd and Ni, these ratios varied from 0.6 to 0.8, suggesting higher degree of free and kinetically labile species of these metals in sea water.     

Chemically modified silica gel with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde for selective solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) by ICP-OES

Silica gel-bound amines phase modified with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (p-DMABD) was prepared based on chemical immobilization technique. The product (SG-p-DMABD) was used as an adsorbent for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) prior to their determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The uptake behaviors of SG-p-DMABD for extracting these metal ions were studied using batch and column procedures. For the batch method, the optimum pH range for Cr(III) and Ni(II) extraction was ≥ 3, for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) extraction it was ≥ 4. For simultaneous enrichment and determination of all the metals on the newly designed adsorbent, the pH value if 4.0 was selected. All the metal ions can be desorbed with 2.0 mL of 0.5 mol L^− 1 of HCl. The results indicate that SG-p-DMABD has rapid adsorption kinetics using the batch method. The adsorption capacity for these metal ions is in the range of 0.40-1.15 mmol g^− 1, with a high enrichment factor of 125. The presence of commonly coexisting ions does not affect the sorption capacities. The detection limits of the method were found to be 1.10, 0.69, 0.99, 1.10 and 6.50 μg L^− 1 for Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II), respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method under optimum conditions was 5.0% (n = 8) for all metal ions. The method was applied to the preconcentration of Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from the certified reference material (GBW 08301, river sediment) and water samples with satisfactory results.     

Use of clinoptilolite loaded with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as a sorbent for preconcentration of Pb(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy

A solid phase extraction system for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of Pb(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) is proposed. The procedure is based on the adsorption of Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions on a column of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) immobilised on surfactant-coated clinoptilolite prior to their determinations by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). The effective parameters including pH, sample volume, sample flow rate and eluent flow rate were also studied. The analytes collected on the column were eluted with 5 mL of 1 mol L^?1 nitric acid. A concentration factor of 180 can be achieved by passing 900 mL of sample through the column. The detection limits (3 s) for Cd, Cu, Pb and Ni were found to be 0.28, 0.12, 0.44 and 0.46 µg L^?1, respectively. The relative SDs at 10 µg L^?1 (n = 10) for analytes were in the range of 1.2–1.4%. The method was applied to the determination of Pb, Ni, Cd and Cu in water samples.     

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for the Evaluation of Element Mobility in Bottom Sediment Collected at Mining and Smelting Pb–Zn Ores Area in Poland

The current BCR procedure for metal fractionation recommended by the Standard Measurement and Testing Programme requires rather time-consuming sample pretreatment. Ultrasonic energy seems to be an attractive alternative for leaching metal from solid samples into a liquid extractant phase. This study aims at optimizing ultrasonic extraction in order to replace the BCR method of leaching using acetic acid and to apply the procedure of assessing element mobility in bottom sediment rich in moderately soluble carbonate minerals. The application of ICP-MS allowed the determination of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Tl and Zn in extracts, in a wide range of concentration without any special treatment. Finally, 40’min extraction in an ultrasonic bath was proposed for evaluation of the mobile fraction of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn as an assessment of environmental risk. The recovery of the ultrasound-assisted extraction in comparison to the shake-filter method, as applied in the common BCR procedure, was slightly higher than 100% for As, Cr and Pb, reasonably high (about 70%) for Cd, Zn and Cd, but did not exceed 21% for Tl. Also, the mobility and extractability (relative mobility) of the studied elements from sediment collected over one year were compares. According to the results obtained after 40’min of ultrasound-assisted extraction it can be concluded that mobility did not change over one year for Cr, Cu, As, Cd, Ni and Tl, but noticeable differences for Zn and Pb were observed. The total content of all studied elements was almost the same in samples taken in the years 2003 and 2004, respectively.     

Ion chromatographic determination of alkaline earth metals and some heavy metals

The method is described for ion chromatographic determination of Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Sr, Pb and Zn. Ethylenediammonium chloride or tartrate solutions are used as eluents with a suppressor column. The detection limits for the listed elements are (in μg l^?1): Ba 1.4, Ca 0.045, Cd 0.6, Cu 0.3, Mn 0.8, Ni 0.5, Pb 6.3, Sr 0.3, Zn 1.2. Relative standard deviations are 0.015–0.050 ar the 20 mg l^?1 level (n = 5, p = 0.95). Interferences are considered.     

Heavy metals contamination in roadside soil near different traffic signals in Dubai,United Arab Emirates

The present research was conducted to study heavy metal contamination in roadside soil viz. (i) at sites having more than two traffic signals (ii) roads having only one traffic signal and (iii) roads having no traffic signals. The samples were collected and analyzed for seven heavy metals i.e. cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) following the acid digestion of the respective soil samples. The range of the metals observed in soil having more than two traffic signals were Cd (0.17–1.01), Pb (259.66–2784.45), Cu (15.51–65.90), Ni (13.31–98.13), Fe (325.64–5136.37), Mn (57.95–166.43), and Zn (91.34–166.43) mg kg^?1 respectively. Similarly, the range of metals analyzed in samples collected from the roadside having only one traffic signal were Cd (nd–0.80), Pb (145.95–308.09), Cu (0.82–18.04), Ni (18.29–59.36), Fe (88.51–3649.42), Mn (25.88–147.34) and Zn (8.97–106.11 mg kg ^?1) respectively. However, the range of metals at roads having no traffic signals were Cd (0.0–0.57), Pb (8.34–58.20), Cu (2.88–5.81), Ni (3.34–73.80), Fe (55.34–332.81), Mn (2.98–98.73) and Zn (1.23–46.6 mg kg^?1) respectively. Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn and Zn in soil were present within the normal range of background levels, whereas lead was reported in high concentration. The level of lead had a correlation with the traffic density attributing its origin to vehicular exhaust. The values from three different sites of monitoring suggest that automobiles are a major source of the studied metals for the roadside environment.