Abstract
The impact of particulate matter on the ambient air quality of Landmark University Farm was assessed using deposition fluxes of Trace elements (TEs) in the airshed of the farm. Deposition gauges were employed to collect both dry and wet deposition samples of particulate matter between 2018 and 2019. Elemental compositions of particulates collected during the sampling period were analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (ED-XRF). The deposition fluxes of crustal and anthropogenic trace elements were also determined using standard methods. Results showed that in dry season, iron has the highest mean concentration (3283.61 mg/kg), while chromium has the lowest (0.023 mg/kg). On the other hand, in wet season, silicon and nickel have the highest and lowest mean concentrations of 159.34 mg/kg and 0.01 mg/kg respectively. Although the concentrations of these metals were higher in the dry season than wet season, there was no statistical significant difference between the mean concentrations of the elements measured in each season of the year (p > 0.05). The compositions of some of the elements in the particulate matters were found to be far above the recommended exposure limits prescribed by OSHA. The study concluded that the elemental composition of particulate matter in the airshed of the University Farm adversely impacts the ambient air quality of the Community.
Highlights
Urbanization, industrialization and other anthropogenic activities have caused significant rise in the emissions of trace components, but have brought about changes in the amount of particles in the air (Bacardit and Camarero, 2009; Hsu et al, 2010)
The study seeks to assess the impacts of particulate matters on the ambient air quality of the Landmark University farm
There was no statistical significant difference between the mean concentrations of the elements measured in each season of the year (p > 0.05), it was generally observed that, the concentrations of the metals were higher in the dry season than in the wet season
Summary
Urbanization, industrialization and other anthropogenic activities have caused significant rise in the emissions of trace components, but have brought about changes in the amount of particles in the air (Bacardit and Camarero, 2009; Hsu et al, 2010). Atmospheric deposition is regarded as an important method for the relocation of trace elements, some of which cause serious environmental and human health issues (Galloway et al, 1982; Niu et al, 2015; Pan and Wang, 2015). The study seeks to assess the impacts of particulate matters on the ambient air quality of the Landmark University farm This is with a view to creating awareness and alertness to the health issues of the University community especially as it relates to air pollution. The results obtained in this study will provide a useful databank of particulate matter concentrations within the University community and possibly create a need for effective monitoring of the impacts on both environmental quality and human health
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