Multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of Abakaliki and Enugu in Southeastern Nigeria
Abstract Background The atmosphere is usually contaminated by heavy metals from different natural and anthropogenic sources. The levels of heavy metals in the atmosphere often become harmful and cause environmental pollution with serious health consequences to humans when their concentrations exceed...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Bulletin of the National Research Centre |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-021-00618-7 |
| _version_ | 1818652435011338240 |
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| author | Bright Chigozie Ichu Alexander Iheanyichukwu Opara Emmanuel Nnamdi Ejike Amarachi Udoka Nkwoada Francis Chizoruo Ibe Emmanuel Chuka Dioha |
| author_facet | Bright Chigozie Ichu Alexander Iheanyichukwu Opara Emmanuel Nnamdi Ejike Amarachi Udoka Nkwoada Francis Chizoruo Ibe Emmanuel Chuka Dioha |
| author_sort | Bright Chigozie Ichu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The atmosphere is usually contaminated by heavy metals from different natural and anthropogenic sources. The levels of heavy metals in the atmosphere often become harmful and cause environmental pollution with serious health consequences to humans when their concentrations exceed certain threshold limits. The determination of the atmospherically suspended particulate matter in general and toxic trace metallic concentrations in particular, is, therefore, necessary for the evaluation of the sources and fate of atmospherically deposited suspended particulate matter. The assessment of the concentration levels of suspended particulate trace metals like Zn and Pb in the cities of Enugu and Abakaliki southeastern Nigeria was performed to assess the concentrations of atmospherically suspended metals in the area, their sources, and their pollution status. Results Results of the study showed that Zn concentration levels were not significant at all the sampling points, while the concentrations of Pb particulate matter which ranged from 0.11 to 0.91 µg/m3 exceeded the international revised EPA Pb standard of 0.15 µg/m3 but within the approved Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) Nigeria, 24 h long duration of 1 µg/m3, and National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) 1 h duration (1 µg/m3). The enrichment factor (EF) showed that Pb had a dominant crustal source, while Zn was determined to be of minor to moderate crust enrichment. The multivariate analysis carried out using principal component analysis (PCA) based on varimax rotation and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) plotted in biplot and dendrogram diagrams revealed the levels of dependency and grouping, whereas Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (PC) revealed a strong link between the two metallic pollutants Conclusion This study therefore which applied statistical and pollution assessment of atmospherically suspended particulate matter has revealed the importance of monitoring atmospherically suspended materials resulting from anthropogenic sources like mining, quarrying, construction, etc. Similarly, the use of statistical techniques like PCA, HCA, and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient to the study of ambient air quality has proved to be a useful tool in the assessment of atmospheric pollution. The findings of the present study therefore will be invaluable in the monitoring of particulate matter pollution of the atmosphere and their control measures, especially in mining districts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T02:21:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5a80a6860610472b8a32555d8f5eae3e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2522-8307 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T02:21:57Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
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| series | Bulletin of the National Research Centre |
| spelling | doaj.art-5a80a6860610472b8a32555d8f5eae3e2022-12-21T22:07:15ZengSpringerOpenBulletin of the National Research Centre2522-83072021-09-0145111310.1186/s42269-021-00618-7Multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of Abakaliki and Enugu in Southeastern NigeriaBright Chigozie Ichu0Alexander Iheanyichukwu Opara1Emmanuel Nnamdi Ejike2Amarachi Udoka Nkwoada3Francis Chizoruo Ibe4Emmanuel Chuka Dioha5Materials and Energy Technology Department, Projects Development Institute (PRODA)Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology OwerriDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology OwerriDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology OwerriDepartment of Chemistry, Imo State University OwerriDepartment of Geology, Federal University of Technology OwerriAbstract Background The atmosphere is usually contaminated by heavy metals from different natural and anthropogenic sources. The levels of heavy metals in the atmosphere often become harmful and cause environmental pollution with serious health consequences to humans when their concentrations exceed certain threshold limits. The determination of the atmospherically suspended particulate matter in general and toxic trace metallic concentrations in particular, is, therefore, necessary for the evaluation of the sources and fate of atmospherically deposited suspended particulate matter. The assessment of the concentration levels of suspended particulate trace metals like Zn and Pb in the cities of Enugu and Abakaliki southeastern Nigeria was performed to assess the concentrations of atmospherically suspended metals in the area, their sources, and their pollution status. Results Results of the study showed that Zn concentration levels were not significant at all the sampling points, while the concentrations of Pb particulate matter which ranged from 0.11 to 0.91 µg/m3 exceeded the international revised EPA Pb standard of 0.15 µg/m3 but within the approved Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) Nigeria, 24 h long duration of 1 µg/m3, and National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) 1 h duration (1 µg/m3). The enrichment factor (EF) showed that Pb had a dominant crustal source, while Zn was determined to be of minor to moderate crust enrichment. The multivariate analysis carried out using principal component analysis (PCA) based on varimax rotation and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) plotted in biplot and dendrogram diagrams revealed the levels of dependency and grouping, whereas Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (PC) revealed a strong link between the two metallic pollutants Conclusion This study therefore which applied statistical and pollution assessment of atmospherically suspended particulate matter has revealed the importance of monitoring atmospherically suspended materials resulting from anthropogenic sources like mining, quarrying, construction, etc. Similarly, the use of statistical techniques like PCA, HCA, and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient to the study of ambient air quality has proved to be a useful tool in the assessment of atmospheric pollution. The findings of the present study therefore will be invaluable in the monitoring of particulate matter pollution of the atmosphere and their control measures, especially in mining districts.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-021-00618-7Heavy metalAir pollutionSuspended particulate matterMultivariate analysis |
| spellingShingle | Bright Chigozie Ichu Alexander Iheanyichukwu Opara Emmanuel Nnamdi Ejike Amarachi Udoka Nkwoada Francis Chizoruo Ibe Emmanuel Chuka Dioha Multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of Abakaliki and Enugu in Southeastern Nigeria Bulletin of the National Research Centre Heavy metal Air pollution Suspended particulate matter Multivariate analysis |
| title | Multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of Abakaliki and Enugu in Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_full | Multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of Abakaliki and Enugu in Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of Abakaliki and Enugu in Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of Abakaliki and Enugu in Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_short | Multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of Abakaliki and Enugu in Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_sort | multivariate analysis and spatial distribution of suspended particulate metals of abakaliki and enugu in southeastern nigeria |
| topic | Heavy metal Air pollution Suspended particulate matter Multivariate analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-021-00618-7 |
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