Authors :
Ewona, I. O; Ibor, I. E; Egor, A O
Volume/Issue :
Volume 6 - 2021, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/gu88
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3H7Z71e
Abstract :
This study measured and compared the levels
of trace metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cd and Zn) in
air borne suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected
between August-September (wet season),2020 and
January-February (dry season), 2021 at ten locations
(CRUTECH, Ekpo-Abasi, Mayne Avenue by Atamunu,
Etagbor by Jimco, Watt Market, Calabar Post Office,
Marian Market, Diamomd Hill/MCC, Port
Complex/NPA, Federal Housing by NTA) in Calabar
metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The samples were
collected by gravity settlement method, using high
density polyethylene (HDPE) containers with 10cm
diameter funnel. About 50cm3 of 0.1mg/L solution of
CuSO4 algaecide was added to prevent algae growth. The
set up was mounted on a flat elevation, at least 6 meters
high and supported at the base and exposed for a period
of 30days with constant checking. Samples were
collected and taken to the laboratory for storage and
analysis. The study was done in two phases, wet and dry
seasons. A descriptive analysis of UV visible
spectrophotometer was used. Based on the analysis, the
SPM concentrations varied from 13.020 µg/m3 minimum
to 22.025µg/m3 maximum according to location. The
total mean dust cover was 17.422 µg/m3
. Spectroscopy
results shows that the air basin at all location sites
contain concentrations of trace metals<15µg/m3
. Higher
concentration of Cu (2.087± 0.455 µg/m3
) was recorded
at Port Complex/NPA location and of Fe (1.925 ± 0.264
µg/m3
) while Zn is (1.919 ± 0.541) respectively. Paired
independent t-test at p≤ 0.05 (df=19, n =20) confirmed
significant seasonal variations in the concentration of the
metals with higher concentrations during the dry season.
Enrichment factor (EF) analysis was adopted to identify
the source and the contributions to particulate matter.
The result revealed that the background atmosphere in
the studied stations was highly affected by anthropogenic
pollution in the order of minimum to maximum
concentrations by location and demonstrated that high
heavy metals concentrations occurred but with
significant EF values during the dry season. These
results are useful for effective environmental pollution
monitoring in Calabar metropolis air basin. It is
therefore recommended that burying of refuse should be
encouraged instead of burning, only road-worthy
vehicles should be allowed to ply the roads, bushburning should be completely discouraged and
environmental impact assessment must be carried out
before establishment of any industry.
Keywords :
Particulate Matter, Ambient Air, Trace and Heavy Metals, Suspended Particulate Matter
This study measured and compared the levels
of trace metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cd and Zn) in
air borne suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected
between August-September (wet season),2020 and
January-February (dry season), 2021 at ten locations
(CRUTECH, Ekpo-Abasi, Mayne Avenue by Atamunu,
Etagbor by Jimco, Watt Market, Calabar Post Office,
Marian Market, Diamomd Hill/MCC, Port
Complex/NPA, Federal Housing by NTA) in Calabar
metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The samples were
collected by gravity settlement method, using high
density polyethylene (HDPE) containers with 10cm
diameter funnel. About 50cm3 of 0.1mg/L solution of
CuSO4 algaecide was added to prevent algae growth. The
set up was mounted on a flat elevation, at least 6 meters
high and supported at the base and exposed for a period
of 30days with constant checking. Samples were
collected and taken to the laboratory for storage and
analysis. The study was done in two phases, wet and dry
seasons. A descriptive analysis of UV visible
spectrophotometer was used. Based on the analysis, the
SPM concentrations varied from 13.020 µg/m3 minimum
to 22.025µg/m3 maximum according to location. The
total mean dust cover was 17.422 µg/m3
. Spectroscopy
results shows that the air basin at all location sites
contain concentrations of trace metals<15µg/m3
. Higher
concentration of Cu (2.087± 0.455 µg/m3
) was recorded
at Port Complex/NPA location and of Fe (1.925 ± 0.264
µg/m3
) while Zn is (1.919 ± 0.541) respectively. Paired
independent t-test at p≤ 0.05 (df=19, n =20) confirmed
significant seasonal variations in the concentration of the
metals with higher concentrations during the dry season.
Enrichment factor (EF) analysis was adopted to identify
the source and the contributions to particulate matter.
The result revealed that the background atmosphere in
the studied stations was highly affected by anthropogenic
pollution in the order of minimum to maximum
concentrations by location and demonstrated that high
heavy metals concentrations occurred but with
significant EF values during the dry season. These
results are useful for effective environmental pollution
monitoring in Calabar metropolis air basin. It is
therefore recommended that burying of refuse should be
encouraged instead of burning, only road-worthy
vehicles should be allowed to ply the roads, bushburning should be completely discouraged and
environmental impact assessment must be carried out
before establishment of any industry.
Keywords :
Particulate Matter, Ambient Air, Trace and Heavy Metals, Suspended Particulate Matter
