Analysis of selected heavy metals in the exhaust soot of heavy-duty trucks and power generating plants in Nigeria

Abstract

Some selected heavy metals were determined in soot samples of anthropogenic origin using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Soot Samples were collected from heavy-duty automobiles and diesel power generating plants in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Results of this study indicated a high concentration of Pb, Cr, Cu and Mn in all the samples. Cadmium was observed in six of the samples and was not detected in samples MB3 and G1. Of all the parameters analyzed, Pb had the highest concentrations of 12.1352±5.007 ppm in sample T2, followed by MB 3 at 5.1573±0.604 ppm. However, the average discharge of Pb to the environment was 4.4511 ppm. Average discharge of Cd in the soot samples was 0.3964 ppm, while that of Cr, Cu and Mn were 0.4898 ppm, 0.8612 ppm and 1.8851 ppm respectively. These values are far above the World Health Organization maximum acceptable limits for air and water emissions and are therefore high source of pollution, with its attendant health risks as previously reported in literature.

Keywords: Soot, heavy metals, heavy-duty automobiles, diesel power generating plants

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(4): 393-397, 2009