Traffic pollution: preliminary elemental characterisation of roadside dust in Lagos, Nigeria

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • O. J. Ogunsola
  • A. F. Oluwole
  • O. I. Asubiojo
  • H. B. Olaniyi
  • F. A. Akeredolu
  • O. A. Akanle
  • N. M. Spyrou
  • N. I. Ward
  • W. Ruck

Roadside dust collected from different parts of Lagos metropolis were analysed for heavy metals and other trace elements using a combination of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The results show a positive correlation of the concentration of Pb and some other vehicular emission-related elements with the traffic density. Automotive emission was also found to be the main contributor to Pb concentration in the roadside dust but some elements which hitherto have been linked with automotive emission, such as cadmium and nickel, did not show any strong correlation with traffic density.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Science of The Total Environment
Volume146-147
Issue numberC
Pages (from-to)175-184
Number of pages10
ISSN0048-9697
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23.05.1994