Concentration

Impact of Vehicular Emission on Air Pollution in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)

This study was carried out to assess the impact of vehicular emission on air pollution at some locations in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria, with a view to determining the contribution of motor vehicle emissions to air pollution. The sites were: Iyana Iba Bus-stop, LASU Main Gate, Okokomaiko Bus stop, LASU Second Gate and LASU Main Campus. Some of the air pollutants measured include carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and suspended particulate matter (SPM). MSA 5x Multi Gas Detector was used to measure the concentration of air pollutants of  CO and H₂S while Kanomax Single Gas Detector was used to measure NO₂ and SO₂ and TSI Aero Trak Handheld Particle Counter Model 9303 was used to determine SPM. Vehicular traffic was observed during the peak traffic periods; 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day for eight days. The number of traffic at each site per hour was counted using an electronic counting machine. The results indicated that the concentration of CO at Okokomaiko Bus-stop was the highest with an average of 54.88±7.94 ppm (n=8). At this site, the concentration fell between 41.00 and 65.00 ppm between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. while the average concentration between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. was 49.63±10.50. The reason for high concentration of CO at Okokomaiko was due to high vehicular traffic. CO concentration is influenced greatly by traffic flow, in which case the concentration for free – flowing traffic was less compared to an impeded flow due to traffic jam as experienced in most of the locations. The result of the study also showed that hydrogen sulphide profile within the metropolis and control stations was not detected within the equipment’s detection limit. The assessment of the impact of vehicular emissions on the air quality at the study locations showed that traffic density can increase the concentration of air pollutants (NO₂ SO₂, CO and SPM) emanating from vehicular emissions because pollutants concentrations showed high correlation with traffic density except for H₂S. All the pollutants were either within or above the WHO standards for ambient air quality. The study also revealed that measured gaseous pollutants in the air directly or indirectly threaten the environment and life of inhabitants of the locations and that motor vehicles emission and other related activities carried out along these roads remain the main sources of these pollutants.

Keywords: Air Pollution, Concentration, traffic density, vehicular emission

The Impact of Rock Crushing On the Quality of Air and Soil Within and Outside the Crushing Site (Published)

This study investigates the effect of rock crushing on Ishiagu environment in Enugu State, Nigeria. The quality of air dust and soil samples within and outside the crushing area was analyzed by taking samples of rock dust), soil and underground water. The amount of iron, zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, chromium and nickel were determined in the rock dust and soil samples collected within and outside the crushing sites. The results indicated that the concentration of metals in all samples were significant ranging from 1425-48180mg/kg in air dust sample, 120-44000mg/kg in soil samples while the metals in the underground water was seen to be decreasing as the distance from the crushing site increased .The underground water samples were observed to have high total dissolved solids (754,587 and 604) ppm respectively, total chloride and total hardness. All underground water samples were in excess of 150 mg/l total chloride with pH values between the ranges of 4.5 to 5.5 which is acidic.

Keywords: Concentration, Metals, Soil, Water, rock, rock dust

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Ground Water Sources in Agona District in the Central Region of Ghana. (Published)

This study was done to determine the concentration of trace metals in groundwaters in the Agona East district of the Central region of Ghana. Ground water samples were collected from 3 hand dug wells and 15 boreholes in the study area. All samples were analyzed for seven trace metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cd, Al) using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentrations of the trace metals from the various areas range from 0.824 to 0.1.122 mg/L for Cu; 0.116 to 0.312 mg/L for Zn; <0.002 to 0.364 mg/L for Cr; <0.006 to 0.065 mg/L for Mn; 0.156 to 1.236 mg/L for Fe; <0.002 to 0.028 mg/L for Cd and 1.44 to 3.188 mg/L for Al. Four of the trace metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, and Cd) had their concentrations within the WHO standards for drinking water. Aluminium, Iron and chromium had their values above the WHO limits at most of the sampling sites.

Keywords: Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), Concentration, Groundwater, Toxicity, Trace Metals

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Ground Water Sources in Agona District in the Central Region of Ghana (Published)

This study was done to determine the concentration of trace metals in groundwaters in the Agona East district of the Central region of Ghana. Ground water samples were collected from 3 hand dug wells and 15 boreholes in the study area. All samples were analyzed for seven trace metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cd, Al) using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentrations of the trace metals from the various areas range from 0.824 to 0.1.122 mg/L for Cu; 0.116 to 0.312 mg/L for Zn; <0.002 to 0.364 mg/L for Cr; <0.006 to 0.065 mg/L for Mn; 0.156 to 1.236 mg/L for Fe; <0.002 to 0.028 mg/L for Cd and 1.44 to 3.188 mg/L for Al. Four of the trace metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, and Cd) had their concentrations within the WHO standards for drinking water. Aluminium, Iron and chromium had their values above the WHO limits at most of the sampling sites.

Keywords: Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), Concentration, Groundwater, Toxicity, Trace Metals

Heavy Metal Contamination of Top Soil at Auto-Repair workshops in Cape Coast, Ghana (Published)

Trace metal contamination at 4 selected auto workshops at cape coast Ghana has been ascertained in this study. A total of 18 soil samples from auto-repair workshops and 44 soil samples from control sites were sampled and analyzed using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF). Heavy metals like Fe ,Cu, Zn ,Cr, Pb and Mn were analyzed .Mn concentrations were between 364.6713g/g and 1934.063g/g. Cu  concentrations were between 42.33g/g and 299.36g/g, Zn concentrations fell between 67.08g/g and 544.26g/g, Cr concentration were between 93.54g/g and 1266.23, Ni concentrations were between75.89g/g and 217.52, Pb concentrations were also between 73.89g/g and 713.65g/g, Fe concentrations were between 21485g/g and 47317.50g/g, which is below its natural  occurrence. The enrichment factor (EF) was also used to identify possible levels of contamination from anthropogenic sources. Mechanical shop, Spraying shop, Wielding shop and Electrical shop were contaminated with Fe, Ni, Cu and Mn.

Keywords: Concentration, Contamination, Energy Dispersive X-ray Florescence, Enrichment Factor, Heavy Metals