Experimental investigations of heavy metals concentrations in the ground of section Kazlu Ruda – Jure

Abstract

The extent of exploited railways in Lithuania makes 1905 km. Railway section Kazlų Rūda – Jūrė was selected for ground pollution with heavy metals investigations due big intensity of train transport in this section: about 40 trains pass this section per day. The distance of this section is about 5 km. Sampling places were in the similar ground level as railway bed. That is why relief’s influence to pollutants dispersion in many ground sampling places was very small and was not evaluated. Several authors calculated that zone of maximum pollutants fall out intensivity can reach till the Sanitary Protection Zone (SAZ) of railway - 100 meters. Different distance from railway bed was selected (10, 50, 100, and 200 m) for research. Sampling was carried out in both sides of railway ground. Concentrations of heavy metals: nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) were determinated with help of atomic absorption spectrophotometric method with acetylene-air flame and with graphite furnace. The results of research showed that concentrations of Zn and Ni did not exceed permissible concentrations common for Marijampolė region ground in distance of SAZ and further except first point (100 m) for zinc.