Int. J. Chem. Sci. Vol. 7 No. 1, ISSN 2006-3550
SOURCE IDENTIFICATION OF TRACE METAL IN TOTAL
SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER
ijcs
*Ediagbonya, T.F.; Ukpebor, E.E2.; Okieimen, F.E2
1. Department of Chemical Science,Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa,
Ondo State. 2. University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
Email: tf.ediagbonya@gmail.com
Tel: +23480696066577
(Date Received: 07/12/14; Date Accepted: 12/03/14)
Abstract
The major causes of elevated concentrations of re-suspended dust in urban environments seem to
be the turbulence and tyre stress related to traffic. Several results also show that suspended
particulate matter could contain considerable amounts of trace elements from anthropogenic
sources. Particulate matter was collected from ten different locations in Sapele between the months
of December 2008 to April 2009 using SKC Air check gravimetric sample model 210-5000 Serial
No. 2053. And nine elements (Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd) were analyzed using Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), and the data obtained were subjected to factor analysis
Keyword: Total suspended particulate, atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Epidemiological studies alone cannot account
for the relationship between particulate
pollution and its impact on health. The
particles size is also a factor in the
determination of the effects of particulate on
human health (Seaton et al., 1995; Peters et
al., 1997a; Peters et al., 1997b; Harrison and
Yn, 2000; Peters et al., 1997c).
Acidified particles also affect the leaves of
vegetation in many ways. They are
responsible for the degradation such as
soiling, corrosion, erosion and discoloration
of materials (Finlayson-Pitts et al., 1986;
Baedceker et al., 1991; Harker et al., 1980;
Mackenze and Ashnry, 1992; Schuster et al.,
1994; Smith, 1990). Although studies on
environmental impact of trace elements in
particulate matter suggests that urban
dwellers in highly industrialized countries are
expose to higher than recommended levels of
contamination (Cohen et al.,1993). The
incidence of associated problems is not
limited to urban dwellers in highly
industrialized towns.
The risk posed by trace elements in
suspended particulate to human health and the
ecosystem in general have been well
documented(Barrie,1988; Winchester 1990),
hence it is important to develop effective
control measure for air particulate emission.
INTRODUCTION
Trace elements are element that are present in
small quantity which may be essential or non
essential in living organisms. Some of the
trace elements include AS, Be, Cd, Cr, Co,
Hg, Mn, Pb. Very low levels of these
elements are associated with fuels and have
the potential to be released upon combustion
(Reddy et al., 2005).
Some of the metals found predominantly as
particulates matter in polluted atmosphere are
known to be hazardous to human health. All
of these except beryllium are so called heavy
metals. Lead is the toxic metal of greatest
concern in the airborne atmosphere because it
comes closest to being present at a toxic
level. Mercury ranks second. Others includes
Be, Cd, Cr, N, V and As (Willeke and
Baroon, 1993; Hinds, 1982).
Humans and vegetations are generally
exposed to mixture of pollutants and not to
single chemical components; as is mostly the
case with toxicological studies. The response
of pollutant mixtures may be different from
those of individual chemical components.
Hospitalization has been used as end point
linking particles air pollution to health
problems (Ponka, 1991; Pope, 1991;
Polonieki et al., 1991; Thurston et al., 1994;
Vigotti et al., 1996; Lipfert, 1993).
37
Int. J. Chem. Sci. Vol. 7 No. 1, pp 37-45, 2015
Objectives of this study are to analyze the
glass fiber filter for certain trace metals (Zn,
Cu, Mn, Ni, Co, Pb, Fe, and Cr) and to
identify those elements which are abnormally
enriched in the atmosphere as well as
differentiate sources of the elements.
Some of these metals are well known to cause
chronic and acute poisoning of important
organ in the body, cancer, dermatitis and
ulcers of the skin, Benign pneumoconiosis,
manganese poisoning and cause damage of
mucous
membrane)
and
silicosis(NIOSH,2002;Park et al., 1999;IARC
1997;Mohebbi and AbdRad,2007). These
metals enter the atmosphere from both
anthropogenic and biogenic sources.
This study area is located within the coordinates of latitude 0050 50’ 0”- 0050560”N
and longitude 005037’0” – 005045’00E. The
study area has a total aerial extent of 165.25
square kilometers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
AREA OF STUDY
The town Sapele is situated in the south-south
geopolitical region of Nigeria with a
population of about 135,800 (NPC,
2005/2006). It was once an integral part of
the old western region of Nigeria. It is
presently a part of Delta State of Nigeria
created in August 27, 1991, after having been
part of the defunct Mid Western State (19631976) and the defunct Bendel State (19761991)
The major activities among the people of
Sapele that generate particulate pollution are
usually bush burning as a pre planting
preparation, combustion of solid waste as a
means of waste disposal, gas flaring, resuspension of dust from unpaved road, and
the production of charcoal which involves the
burning of wood in an open space from dawn
till dusk in four different locations in the city.
These charcoal are usually exported to other
countries and sometime nearby cities.
Sapele is located near the junction of
Jamieson and Ethiope rivers and about 80
mile (144 kilometers) from the sea, well
closer into the timber yielding forest of the
interior. Sapele is one of the first-rate wood
industries in this region.
However, it is a commercial city with four
petroleum and allied industries. The climate
is tropical with two distinct seasons, wet and
dry.
50 30E
60 30E
60 00N
60 00N
Koko
Benin River
NIGERIA
Ajagbodudu
(Aronwon)
Ununean
Oghareki
Befruno
Study Area
NEPA
Ogorode
Ogharefe
Ajajigwor
Ogalo
Naval
Base
Arone
Oton
Ugbekoko
Well
Mech.
Village
To Benin
Ganna
River
Mkt
O
K
P
E
U
Adeola Okpe Rd
R
H
O
B
O
F
Mayuku
Old Sec
O
Stadium
R
S
E
T
Adaka
R
E
RiVER
S
E
R
Ugborh
eVE
Olympia
LEGEND
Jermison
Warri Sapele Rd
AT&P
Ajimele
Major roads
Ugbeyiyi
Amuogbodo
Magibason
Reclamasion
River
Okirighwre
New Sec
Police
Station
Adagbrasa
Igbeku
Settlements
Amukpe Ado
Eku
Sample Location
Okuovwori Obaisajere
Ogegere
Amukpe
Songhai
0
Umeru
Ajekimo
ni
60 45N
50 30E
60 45N
60 30E
Fig.1 Map of Sapele showing the various Sampling locations
38
1
SCALE
2Km
Source Identification of Trace Metal in Total Suspended Particulate Matter
Table 1: Showing the site coordinates and description
S/N
1
Site
code
SP.MV
2
SP.SG
3
SP.NOR
4
SP.RH
5
SP.OJ
6
SP.SM
7
SP.IA
8
SP.NER
9
SP.SWR
10
SP.OK
Co-ordinates
N0551’53.5”
E00541’39.0”
N0551’025”
E005441.37.4”
N0551’06.3”
E005 44’45.4”
N0551’.33.”
E00543’06.4”
N0553’24.8”
E00540’4.9”
N0554’05.9”
E00541’8.9”
N0555’16.8”
E00538’48.5”
N0552’28.6”
E00542’07.8”
N0552’28.6”
E00542’07.8”
N0552’27.0”
E00543’40.7”
Site description
The site was created at the mechanic village (shell Rd)
This was created at the Songhai
The site was created at new Ogorode Road.
The site was created at residential houses in Amoukpe area
The site was created at Olympia Junction
The site was created at Sapele market
The site was created at the industrial area
This was created at New Eku Road
The site was created at Warri Sapele Road
The site was created at Okirighwere
In line with the objectives of the study, ten
monitoring sites were carefully selected to
represent all the quarters of the city with high
air pollution sources. These sites were created
within the vicinities to reflect variation in
traffic volume and human activities. Table 1
represents the monitoring sites and their coordinates. The monitoring sites were Georeferenced by using Garmin GPS MAP 765
chart plotting receiver.
Sample Digestion and Measurement;
The trace metals Ph, Cd, Ni, Cu, Co, Fe, Zn,
Cr and Mn were determined by AAS
(Thermo electron corporation Atomic
Absorption spectrometry, S. Series)
A portion of the effective filter was digested
with 20ml 1:1 HNO3 in a beaker and covered
with a watch glass which was concentrated to
about 5ml on a hot plate at 150-1800C 10ml
of 1:1 HNO3 was added to repeat it. The
extract was filtered through a 541 filter paper,
the filter paper and the beaker was washed
with 0.25M HNO3. The filtrate was
transferred and weighted into 50ml
volumetric flask. The chemical and reagents
used for analysis were analar grade.
Data Analysis
The results got from this work were subjected
to descriptive statistics and enrichment factor
computation. In this work, Iron was chosen as
the reference element during the computation
of enrichment factor. Jian and Ukuo used Iron
as a reference (Ediagbonya et al.,
2013;JianZheng et al., 2004)
Sample Collection:
SKC Air Check XR5000 high volume
Gravimetric model 210-5000 serial No.
20537 with a what- man glass fiber filter was
used to capture the particles. The particles
were collected at a flow rate of 2l/min for
eight hours and the sampler was placed
between the heights of 1.5-2m of human.
What man glass fibers used was conditioned
in a controlled room temperature for at least
24hrs before pre-and post weighting. The
sampling was done from Dec. 2008-April
2009.
39
Int. J. Chem. Sci. Vol. 7 No. 1, pp 37-45, 2015
 C1 


 CFe TSP
Table 3 shows the mean concentration of the
elemental composition of the various
locations. The total mean concentration
values of the analysed trace metals follow the
order: Pb > Fe > Cd > Cr > Mn > Cu > Zn.
while Ni and Co were below the detection
limit.
 C1 


 CFe crust
Where C1 the concentration of the element is
considered in the TSP of the crust and CFe is
the concentration of the reference element
(Fe).
The elemental concentration in the crust used
in this study was got from Aynan et al 2014.
An enrichment factor close to 1 indicates that
the relative concentration of a given element
is identical to that which is present in the soil.
An enrichment factor greater than 1 indicates
that the element is more abundant in the air
relative to that found in the soil, while values
less than 1 suggests a depletion of the element
in the air over that found in soil.
In this work, iron was chosen as the reference
element during the computation of the
enrichment factor. (Jianzherg et al., 2004;
Ediagbonya et al., 2013) From Table 3, Cd
was highly enriched and Pb was moderately
enriched. The trace metal concentration of
other work done in other part of the country is
comparable to this study.
Typical concentration of some trace metals in
air concentration range are shown in Table 4
Source Identification Of Total Suspended
Particulate Matter.
In an essay to find a common metal source,
factor analysis was carried out which includes
inter elemental correlation coefficient of
metal concentration and principal component
analysis with varimax rotation and cluster
analysis. Table 2 shows the correlation
coefficient of the metal concentration.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In addition to particulate matter mass limit
values which are based on health impact,
recent European Union(EU) Standard
target(As, Cd, Ni, Pb) limit for metals 6ng/m3
for As, 5ng/m3 for Cd, 20ng/m3 for Ni and
500ng/m3 for Pb.
Table 2: The Correlation Coefficient of the Trace Metals
Fe
Zn
Cu
Mn
Fe
1.00
Zn
-0.03
1.00
Cu
0.31
-0.37
1.00
Mn
-0.83
0.25
-0.43
1.00
Cd
0.24
0.06
-0.23
0.08
Pb
0.29
-0.44
0.96
-0.29
Cr
0.44
-0.60
0.12
-0.25
Cd
Pb
Cr
1.00
-0.13
0.70
1.00
0.27
1.00
From the PCA with varimax rotation, three components were extracted which explained 87.35% of
the total variance
40
Source Identification of Trace Metal in Total Suspended Particulate Matter
Table 3: The Principal Component Matrix of Trace Metals.
Component
Fe
Zn
Cu
Mn
Cd
Pb
Cr
1
0.07
-0.75
0.86
-0.24
-0.24
0.90
0.32
The rotated component matrix showed that
from the three components extracted from
PCA Cu and Cd loaded positively with the
first component, while Zn and Pb loaded
negatively with the first component. For the
second component Fe, Mn and Cr loaded
2
0.95
0.10
0.33
-0.90
0.07
0.23
0.19
3
0.24
-0.38
-0.20
0.00
0.87
-0.05
0.92
positively. The three major sources of
pollution were: Vehicular related emission,
Biomass burning and solid waste incineration.
This is showed in the rotated component plot
as showed in Fig 2. Below.
Fig 2. Component Plot in Rotated Space Cluster Analysis
41
Int. J. Chem. Sci. Vol. 7 No. 1, pp 37-45, 2015
This consists of splitting a data set into
several dominant groups. It is
frequently applied in air pollution
research to find out pollutant source
region. The clustering approach
proposed by ( Dorling et al., 1992)
factor analysis data generated were
subjected cluster analysis.
The Hierarchical cluster in Fig 3
confirmed three major clusters
arrangement of the distribution of the
ten monitoring sites. Cluster 1
comprises of Sites 3, 5 and 1, while
cluster 2 comprises of Site 6 while the
third cluster which is a unique cluster
consist of site 7.
To further corroborate the three
principal components obtained from
Fig3HieraracalCluster
Table 3:The Descriptive Statistics Of Total Suspended Particulate Matter
(mg/m3) And Enrichment Factor During Dry Season In Sapele (Urban Area)
Min
Max
Mean
SD
Enrichment Factor
Fe
0.63
5.33
Zn
0.06
0.13
Cu
0.03
0.28
Mn
0.06
0.31
Cd
0.18
1.38
Pb
0.86
2.80
Cr
0.00
0.30
Ni
BDL
BDL
Co
BDL
BDL
BDL= Below Detection Limit
2.51
0.09
0.10
0.14
0.46
1.45
0.16
BDL
BDL
1.42
0.02
0.07
0.10
0.33
0.64
0.11
BDL
BDL
42
1.00
0.21
0.46
0.02
631.84
31.12
0.44
Source Identification of Trace Metal in Total Suspended Particulate Matter
Table 4: Typical concentration of some traces metal in air concentration range
(μg/m3)
Element
Fe
Pb
Mn
Cd
Zn
V
Urban
01.-10
0.1 -10
0.01 -0.5
0.0005 -0.5
0.02 -2
0.02 -0.2
Background
0.04 -2
0.02 -2
0.001 -0.01
0.0001 -0.1
0.003 -0.1
0.001 -0.05
Source: Mirosla and Vladimir (1999)
National Acid Precipitation
program report No. 19:
Barrie,
L.A.
(1988)
Journal
Geophysics, Res, 93. 3773.
`Cohen, C.J., Bowers G. N. and
Lepow,
M.L.
(1993).
Epidemiology
of
Lead
Poisoning; “A comparison
Between urban and Rural
children” Journal of America
Medical Association, 22, (12)
1430
CONCLUSION
Glass fibre filter were used to capture
the particulate matter. AAS was used
to analyses the various trace metals.
The trace metal values obtained in this
study are comparable to other studies
in other part of the world. The data
were subjected to PCA which revealed
three major sources suggest that the
particulate matter are from biomass
burning, vehicular related emission and
metal processing.
Dorling, S .R ,Davies,T.D and
Pierce,C.E (1992). Cluster
analysis a technique for
estimating
synoptic
meteorological control on air
and precipitation chemistrymethod and appliances Atm
Env, 26 A(14),2575-2581
Ediagbonya
T.F,Ukpebor
E.E,Okieimen
F.E(2013)
Heavy metal in inhalable and
respirable
in
urban
atmosphere.Environmental
Skeptics
and
Critics
2(3);108-117
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We gratefully acknowledge the support
of Mr. Ufuoma Asagba, Mr.
Obozakhai for their support during the
data capture and analysis.
REFERENCES
Aynan Y,Sejalon-Delmas N,Probst A
(2014) Origin and distribution
of rare earth elements in
various Lichen and Moss
Species over the last centuries
in
France.Total
Environ,15,487;1-12
Baedceker, P.A., Edney, E.O., Moran,
P.J., Simpson, T.C., Williams
(1991). Effect of
Acidic
Deposition of Materials, in:
Irving,
P.M.
ed
Acidic
Deposition state of science and
Technology.
Vol.
III,
Terrestrial Materials, Health
and
visibility
Effect
Washington D.C. The U.S
Finlayson-Pitts, B. J., and Pitts, B. J.,
and Pitts, J.N. Jr. (1986)
Sources,
Atmospheric
Lifetimes, and Chemical Fates
of Species in the Natural
Troposphere, Chapter 14 of
Species
in
Atmospheric
Chemistry: Fundamentals and
Experimental
Techniques,
43
Int. J. Chem. Sci. Vol. 7 No. 1, pp 37-45, 2015
(New York: John Wiley and
Sons: pp 961-1007.
Harker, A.B., Mansfold, F.B., Strans
D.R., Lunchs, D.D. (1980)
Mechanisms of SO2 and H2SO4
Aerosol
Zinc
Corrosion.
Research Triangle Park. N.C.
US. Environmental Protection
Annual Report No EPA 600/380-018.
Harrison, R. M., Yn Jixiang (2000)
Particulate matter in the
Atmosphere: Which Particulate
Properties are Important for its
Effects in Health. The science
of total environmental 249, 85101.
Hinds, W. C. (1982) Aerosol
Technology, (New York: John
Willy and Sons. Inc)
International Agency for Research on
Cancer
(1997).
IARC
monographs on the evaluation
of the carcinogenic risk of
chemicals to humans: Silica
and
Some
silicates,
International
Agency
for
Research on Cancer, Lyon.
Jian Zheng, Mingguang Tan, Yasuyuki
Shibata, Atsushi Tanaka, Yun
Li, Guilin Zhang, Yuanmao
Zhang, Zuci Shan (2004).
Characteristic of Lead isotope
ratios
and
elemental
concentration in PM10 fraction
of air borne particulate matter
in Shanghai after the phase out
of
leaded
gasoline,
Atmospheric environment 38,
1191-1200.
Lipfert, kF. W. (1993) A critical
Review of the Association
between Demands for Hospital
Services and Air pollution
environmental
Health
perspectives
101(Suppl./2),
229-268.
Mackenzie, J.J., and EL Ashnry, M.
T.S. eds (1992) Air Pollutions’
Toll on Forests and crops (New
Haven, CT: Yale University
Pres).
Mirosla R. and Vladiir N. B.
(1999).
Practical
Environmental Analysis pg
128-129. Royal Society of
Chemistry.
Mohebbi, I., Abd Rad I (2007).
Secondary
Spontaneous
pneunomophorax in rapidly
progressive forms of silicosis
characterization of pulmonary
function measurements and
clinical patterns. Toxicol. Ind.
Health 23, 125-32.
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH)
(2002). Hazard Review: Health
effects
of
Occupational
exposure
to
respirable
crystalline silica. No. 2002129,
DHHS
(NIOSH)
Publication, Cincinnati.
NPC (2005/2006): National Population
Census.
Okuo, James M. and Ndiokwere, C. L.
(2005).
Elemental
concentration
of
total
suspended particulate matter on
relation to air pollution in Niger
Delta: A Case Study of Warri:
Trends in Applied Science
Research 1(1): 91-96.
Park C. G., Conrad K., Cooper, G. S.
(1999). Occupational exposure
to crystalline silica and
autoimmune disease. Envron.
Health Perspect 107, 793-802.
Peters, A, Wichmann, H.E. Tuch, T,
Joachim,
H,
(1997c)
Respiratory
effects
are
associated with the number of
Ultra-fine particles. American
Journal of Critical Care and
Respiratory Medium
155,
1376-1383.
Peters, A. Daring, A Wichmann, H.E.
Koeing W. (1997b) Increased
plasma Viscosity During Air
44
Source Identification of Trace Metal in Total Suspended Particulate Matter
Pollution; A link to mortality.
Laneet 349, 1582-1587.
Peters, A., Dockery, D.W., Heinrich I,
Wichmann H. E. (1997a).
Short-term
effects,
of
Particulate Air Pollution on
Respiratory
Morbidity
in
Asthmatic Children European
Respiratory Journal 10, 872879.
Polonieki T.J, Atknison R.W, De Leen,
A.P., Amderdon, H.R,, (1997)
Daily Times Series for
Cardiovascular
Hospital
Admission and Previous Day
Air Pollution in London, UK
Occupational
and
Environmental Medicine 54,
535-540.
Ponka, A. (1991) Asthma and Low
Level air Pollution in Helsinki
Archives of Environmental
Health 46, 262-270
Pope C.A. (1991) Respiratory Hospital
Admission Associated with
PM10 Pollution in Utah, salt
Lake and cachie calley.
Archives
/environmental
Health. 46, 262-270.
Reddy,M.S,Basha, S,Joshi H.V,Jha,
B(2005) Evaluation of the
emission characteristics of trace
metals from coal and fuel fired
power plants and their fate
during combustion, J .Hazard
mater,31;123(1-3):242-9
Schuster,
P.F.,
Reddy.
M.M.,
Sherwood, S.I., (1994) Effect
of Acid Rain and Sulphur
dioxide on Marble Dissolution,
Meter perform 7, 76-80.
Seaton, A., McNee, W., Donald, K.,
Godden, D (1995). Particulate
Air Pollution and Acute Health
Effects. Lancet 345, 176-178.
Smith, W.H., (1990) Air Pollution and
Forest, 2nd (New York:
Springer Verlag).
Thurston, G.D. Hok, K., Hayes, C.G.
(1994) Respiratory Hospital
Admissions and summer Time
Hase Air Pollution in Toronto:
Confederation of the role of
acid Aerosol. Environmental
Research 65, 270-290.
Vigotti, A.M., Rossi, G., Bisanti, L.,
(1996) Short term Effects of
urban
Air
pollution
on
Respiratory Health in Milan,
Italy 1980-1989. Journal of
Epidemiology and community
Health 50 (suppl.), 571-575.
Willeke, K; and Baron, P. A; (1993)
Eds. Aerosol Measurement
principles Techniques and
Applications, (New York: Van
Nostrano Reinhold)
Winchester. J.W. (1990) Bio. Trace.
Elem. Res 26/27,195.
45