ED-XRF analysis of wet deposition around metal recycling plant

Abstract

The study investigated the compositions of air emissions from a steel recycling factory with a view to assessing the impact of emissions from the factory on elemental deposition in the immediate environment of the factory. Wet atmospheric depositions samples were collected in four geographic directions and at varying distances from the factory. The collected samples were filtered; oven dried and subjected to elemental determination using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) technique. Results showed that maximum elemental depositions occurred between 0.4 – 0.6 km away from the factory in the north-east direction, with potassium being the most dominant element. Generally, the concentrations of elements decreased with increasing distance from the factory except for potassium whose trend suggested that other sources such as bush burning might also be contributing to its concentration. The possibilities of bio- accumulation and uptake of heavy metals by crops planted in the neighbourhood of the factory most especially in the north-eastern direction exist. The study concluded that emissions from the factory be treated before their release into the environment.

Keywords: Atmospheric deposition; Bio-accumulation; Elemental ratio; Steel recycling; Energy dispersive xray fluorescence