Abstract
Deposition fluxes of Pb, Cd, Cu and a range of 11 PAH compounds have been determined at distances of 3.8–220 m from the M6 motorway in northwest England over a period of 21 months. Considerable temporal variation is seen in the deposition fluxes, but time-averaged data show that fluxes of Cd, Cu and the PAH compounds are highly elevated close to the road, decreasing to background levels within 20–40 m. Whilst lead also shows considerable roadside enhancement, its deposition continues to decline over the full 220-m measurement interval. Background deposition levels for all pollutants measured are of the same order as other reported data. Analysis of deposition samples for organic compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a wide range of mainly hydrocarbon compounds.