Roadside Sand Deposits as Toxic Metals' Receptacles along three Major Roads in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Authors

  • Christian Mathew  Department of Chemistry, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  • K. J. Orie  Department of Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Keywords:

Sand Deposits, Metals Receptacles, Metal Concentrations, Busy Roadsides, Port Harcourt Metropolis and Nigeria

Abstract

Roadside sand deposits are common sights along all roads in city centres like Port Harcourt in Nigeria. Studies have shown that, these sand deposits are receptacles for heavy metals emitted from varying sources. This study therefore, investigated the concentrations of four toxic metals Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb) and Nickel (Ni) in roadside sand deposits. Three research questions were addressed using results of analyses of data obtained. Samples were collected along three major busy roads in Port Harcourt City using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, AAS. The results show that all four toxic metals except Cd were significantly available in the sand deposits with mean concentrations as follows: Cadmium 0.00 mg/kg, Chromium 2.81±2.21 mg/kg, Lead 1.09±0.70 mg/kg and Nickel 2.41±1.07 mg/kg. The detected concentrations were found to be high in relation to FEPA and WHO standards. The results also show that the mean concentrations are significantly different among the metals investigated but opposite is the case along the roads investigated. Therefore, the attention of environmental regulatory agencies is hereby drawn to this potential reservoir of environmental toxicants. The unsuspecting public, business operators, and others that depend on these roads for their livelihood are also enjoined to appreciate the dangers on these roads

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology

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Published

2015-12-25

Issue

Volume 1, Issue 5, November-December-2015

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
Christian Mathew, K. J. Orie, " Roadside Sand Deposits as Toxic Metals' Receptacles along three Major Roads in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Print ISSN : 2395-6011, Volume 1, Issue 5, pp.65-70, November-December-2015.