Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Road Dust in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Temitope Ruth Alonge-Emmanuel *
National Metallurgical Development Center, P.M.B. 2116, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Fatai Afolabi Ayeni
National Metallurgical Development Center, P.M.B. 2116, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Dorcas Joseph
National Metallurgical Development Center, P.M.B. 2116, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Emily Dada
National Metallurgical Development Center, P.M.B. 2116, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Florence Dennis Uzuh
National Metallurgical Development Center, P.M.B. 2116, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
An investigation of the heavy metal contents in road dust is vital in assessing the potential environmental impacts of vehicular emissions on the soil. In this study, dust samples were collected from Jos metropolis and were analysed for heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, Cd and Fe) using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The average distribution of the heavy metals decreased in the following order: Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Pb>Co>Cd, Fe had the highest values in all sampled areas while Cd showed no pollution due to the metal in all the sampled areas.
Keywords: Heavy metals, environmental impacts, automobile emission, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, mean total metal content, pollution