ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA: MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER

Abstract

. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations from Maiduguri and Yola areas of North-Eastern Nigeria were measured. Also determined were the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn in the SPM. Mean SPM levels were 28.3 µg/m3 (range, 1.3-144 µg/m3) and 13.6 µg/m3 (range, 1.1-52 µg/m3) for Maiduguri and Yola areas, respectively. These were markedly below the mean value of 98 µg/m3 reported for some selected cities in the world, and also showed pronounced differences from the annual average range of 150 µg/m3 reported by the WHO for polluted air. Enrichments of Cd, Cu and Zn in the air relative to the soil are attributable to few industrial activities the areas; that of Pb is due to vehicular emissions. Concentration of all the metals in the SPM fell within the range reported for contaminated air in Europe and North America.


(Received November 15, 2000; revised July 31, 2001)


Bull.Chem.Soc.Ethiop. 2001, 15(2), 109-118