ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITIONS (TAD) IN AKURE, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the TAD of Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. In this study, rainwater samples were collected monthly in a polyethylene container attached to a funnel for a period of twelve (12) months at 40 designated sites (residential, industrial, and traffic-related areas). The rainwater samples were filtered, the masses of TAD on the filter paper were determined gravimetrically, and atmospheric deposition rates were calculated. Meteorological data were measured at a monitoring site at the Department of Meteorology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. From the results obtained in this study, it was observed that deposition rated ranged between 5 and 427 μg/m2. The average temperatures, wind speed, relative humidity, rainfall and wind direction for the periods were 25.00 oC, 0.63 mph, 83.74%, 0.03 mm and 117.43 oC (2015) and 26.2oC, 0.74mph, 81.89%, 0.92 mm, 118.32o (2016). There were relationships between TAD and meteorological parameters. The results showed that TAD in many parts of the studied areas exceeded the World Health Organization guideline standards (350 μg/m2).

Keywords

• air pollution
• urbanization
• mega cities
• gravimetrical
• limit