Periodic Evaluation of Atmospheric Dew and Dust in Iso-olu Area of Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

Air pollution in the form of atmospheric aerosols in the troposphere is known to have adverse influence on hydrological cycle and subsequently affecting crop production. In assessing atmospheric particulates and moisture in Iso-olu area of Abeokuta, the weights of dew and dust particles captured were observed at different elevations and climatic periods. The experiment was carried out for seven days during each climatic period between May and December. The experiment involved five climatic periods, two sieve mesh sizes and two elevations. The weight of dew and dust collected during the different rainfall seasons in relation to elevation and mesh sizes were analyzed with respect to treatments using ANOVA. The result showed significant variation in dew at different rainfall periods and at varying levels of collection under different sieve sizes. The highest
dew was collected at the onset of rains at the upper collection level under no sieve cover; the lowest dew was collected in the dry period in November at the lower collection level irrespective of sieve size. Similarly, there was significant variation in dust at different levels of collection under different sieve sizes. More dust was collected at the upper level and at 500 mm sieve size. High dust values were observed to be associated with dry periods. The majority of air pollution dust problems are caused by nontoxic limestone dust associated with quarry activities in the study area.

Keywords: Rainfall, moisture, aerosols, sieve, mesh, elevation