A neutron activation analysis investigation of traceable elements from automobile exhaust in roadside soil and vegetation

The purpose of this work was to demonstrate the effectiveness of neutron activation analysis in studying a complex environmental problem. The area chosen for study was the exhaust emitted by automobiles and its dispersion into soil and selected plants near highways. The elements chosen for this study were the major traceable components of gasoline and automobile exhaust. Variations in the concentrations of these trace elements in soil, grass and wash off the grass at various distances from two highways were investigated. Of the elements found in gasoline and in automobile exhaust, bromine most clearly indicated where some of the atmospheric components were going and, therefore, would be the most suitable element for neutron activation studies of atmospheric and turbulence modeling and possibly for following biological effects of automobile traffic.