Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the distribution and correlation of selected trace elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and its environs. Air particulate matter was collected gravimetrically at five stations (using a high volume portable SKC air check MTXSidekickair sampler (Model: 224-52MTX). The total suspended particulate matter samples were extracted in nitric acid and hydrochloric acid mixture, followed by the quantification of the trace elements by flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) method (Model: AA 6600, GBC Avanta PM AAS). The estimated elemental data were then subjected to a set of Multivariate statistical analysis and evaluated for their mutual variations in the urban particles. The concentrations of trace elements (μgm-3) found in the particulate matter were in the order of Ca>Fe>Zn>Ni>Pb> Mn>Cu>Cd>Co>Cr. On the average, the correlation of the trace elements of the study area shows strong correlations between Pb-Ni, Fe-Mn, Co-Ni, Zn-Pb, with correlation coefficients of 0.767, 0.595, 0.508, and 0.791 respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that major sources of trace metals in ambient air of the study areas were mainly emissions from automobile exhaust, industrial emissions and gas flaring.Keywords: Particulate matter, trace elements, enrichment factor, toxic
Highlights
Most Nigerian urban cities are confronted with challenges of environmental problems especially atmospheric pollution arising from suspended particulate matter
Studies have shown that industrialization and meteorological factors determine the impact of air pollution on a particular location (Mohamade et al, 2016; Pinto et al, 2016 and Gonzalez-Castanedo et al, 2014).Trace elements are released into the atmosphere both from natural and anthropogenic sources namely: resuspended surface dust, combustion of fossil fuels, traffic and industrial activities
Source Apportionment: To probe the origin of trace metals in Yenagoa and its environs in this study, source apportionment has been performed by applying principal factor analysis (PCA) and computation of enrichment factor
Summary
Most Nigerian urban cities are confronted with challenges of environmental problems especially atmospheric pollution arising from suspended particulate matter. Inorganic component of particulate matters which are mainly trace metals is very important because they are natural constituents of the earth crust and are widely distributed in environmental matrices. Evident in Niger delta region of Nigeria is the problem of metal particulate air pollution and their role in the oxidation of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen resulting in the formation of acidic aerosols involved in the global acid rain. Many metal ions such as Mn2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, Cr3+, Al3+ and Pb2+ acts like a catalyst in a reaction in which sulphur (IV) acid is oxidized to tetraoxosulphate (IV) acid.
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