Assessment of Contamination, Risk, and Enrichment Factors of Heavy Metals in Airborne Particulate Matter Across Nigeria
Abstract
This study evaluates the Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), and Ecological Risk (Er) of various elements in six locations across Nigeria, selected to represent the country’s ecoclimatic zones: Benin, Kano, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, and Calabar. Airborne particles were collected using the gravitational settling method, which involved the natural deposition of particles into the containers through the funnels along with rainwater. Sampling spanned nine months, from January to September 2023, with the collected sediments processed and analyzed in an air quality control laboratory using spectroscopic techniques. The analysis focused on arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), ammonia (NH?), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), chloride (Cl), aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), nitrite (?NO?_2^-), nitrate (?NO?_3^-), and fluoride (F). Results revealed that Lead (Pb) exhibited the highest CF (5.66), indicating considerable contamination, followed by Nickel (Ni) (CF = 4.58) and Manganese (Mn) (CF = 4.43). Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr) demonstrated moderate contamination, with CF values of (1.83 and 1.06), respectively. The EF results suggest moderate enrichment for Pb (4.339), Ni (3.51), and Mn (3.396), pointing to significant anthropogenic contributions, while Cd (1.276) reflected minimal enrichment, indicating a blend of natural and human sources. Ecological risk assessment revealed that Lead (Pb) posed a very high ecological risk (Er = 254.7), reflecting its toxicity and substantial environmental impact. Cadmium (Cd) presented a considerable risk (Er = 54.9), further emphasizing its potential to disrupt ecological systems. These findings underscore the urgent need to address heavy metal contamination and its ecological implications in Nigeria.
Keywords
Particulate matters, sources of PM, effects of PM, Healthy life expectancy, Life expectancy, Air Quality Index, Toxic elements and metals, casinogenic elements, enrichment factor, Hazard Quotient, Contamination Factor, Risk Factor, Enrichment Factors, Heavy Metals, Airborne Particulate.
Citations
IRE Journals:
Ekah, B. J.
"Assessment of Contamination, Risk, and Enrichment Factors of Heavy Metals in Airborne Particulate Matter Across Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 6 2024 Page 914-923
IEEE:
Ekah, B. J.
"Assessment of Contamination, Risk, and Enrichment Factors of Heavy Metals in Airborne Particulate Matter Across Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(6)
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