Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in roadside soil fuel stations has been recognized for a long time of Nasiriyah city, south of Iraq.The study was conducted to examine the heavy metals content of three fuel stations in the nearby soil and control sample from rural area. The accumulation of heavy metals was tested, including the Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chrome (Cr)and Arsenic (As).Heavy metals were detected by using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cr, and As in roadside soil was affected by fuel stations. Significant difference (p<0.05) in Pb, Ni, Cr, and As content were found in nearby soil samples of fuel stations compare with control sample. The results showed that urban samples had significantly (p<0.05) higher heavy metals compared to rural samples in all heavy metals studies. The results indicated that the rural areahad the lowest heavy metals content compared with nearby soil samples of fuel stations. It could be concluded that impaction of fuel station on the accumulation of heavy metals in roadside soils in urban area was slight.