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Article Information:
Contamination Assessment of Heavy Metals in Road Dust from Selected Roads in Accra, Ghana
M. Sampson Atiemo, G. Francis Ofosu, H. Kuranchie-Mensah, A. Osei Tutu, N.D.M. Linda Palm and S. Arthur Blankson
Corresponding Author: M. Sampson Atiemo
Submitted: 2011 January, 21
Accepted: 2011 April, 16
Published: 2011 August, 10 |
Abstract:
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This study was conducted to assess the level of contamination of surface dust from paved roads. Dust
samples were collected from major and busy roads in the city of Accra Ghana. Elemental analysis of road dust
has been carried out in this study using energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence analysis to identify the possible
anthropogenic sources of pollutants in road dust. The elements Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Zr and Pb were
among 20 elements identified. The mathematical models; Index of geoaccumulation (Igeo), Enrichment Factors
(EF), Contamination factor and degree of contamination were used to identify possible levels of pollution from
anthropogenic sources. The results showed that the build of manganese, which is used instead of lead (Pb), as
an octane enhancer has not gone above the crustal levels. However, significant Pb contamination was observed
in the road dust. All the models agreed well in their results giving moderate to significant levels of pollution
for the most part of the selected sites. The results of the Principal Component Analysis gave three major sources
contributing to road dust. These are the natural crustal source, vehicular emissions and corroded vehicular parts.
Key words: Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence, index of geoaccumulation, enrichment factor, degree of contamination, principal component analysis, vehicular emissions,
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Cite this Reference:
M. Sampson Atiemo, G. Francis Ofosu, H. Kuranchie-Mensah, A. Osei Tutu, N.D.M. Linda Palm and S. Arthur Blankson, . Contamination Assessment of Heavy Metals in Road Dust from Selected Roads in Accra, Ghana. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (5): 473-480.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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