Spatial and temporal variability of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
pollution in Apapa industrial areas of Lagos State, Southwestern
- Nigeria
Accepted 19th February, 2013
Ojiodu
CC1*, Okuo JM2, Olumayede EG3
1Department of Chemical Sciences, Yaba College of
Technology, Yaba - Lagos, Nigeria. 2Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Edo
-State, Nigeria. 3Department of Chemical Sciences, Ondo State
University of Science and Technology, Ondo - state, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
ojiodu1966@yahoo.com.
Tel: +2348138335470.
The
results of temporal and spatial distribution of volatile organic
compounds in ambient air in Apapa Industrial Area during May,
2010 to April, 2011 are presented. These results were analysed
in other to present information about the detailed nature of air
quality situation in the sampled areas. The air samples were
collected by passive sampler (ORSA 5) and then exposed to a
height of 1.5 - 2.0 m. Sampling was carried out four times a
month for a period of 12 months. The adsorbed VOCs were desorbed
with carbondisulphide (CS2) and the solution analysed using Gas
Chromatography (GC) fitted with Flame Ionization Detector (FID).
The results from analysis of the air samples collected showed
that twenty six (26) VOCs were captured. The VOCs were
classified thus: aromatics 43%, halogenated 28%, esters 4%,
ketones 13%, alcohols 6%, ethers 6%. There is a significant
difference (Pvalue < 0.05) between the levels of VOCs in Apapa.
Despite a comparatively higher concentration of VOCs at the
studied sites, there was a significant difference in the spatial
distribution. At a lower wind speed, the VOCs concentrations
tend to increase and become uniformly distributed around the
industrial areas. The temporal distribution shows a decrease in
ambient concentrations of VOCs from May to July due to
atmospheric (dilution) wash down by rain. The results of two -
ways factor ANOVA analysis of the monthly average of total
volatile organic compounds revealed a significant difference (Pvalue
< 0.05) in the temporal and spatial variations of TVOC
concentrations in the studied areas. The meteorological
parameters showed significant correlations with the ambient
concentrations of VOCs. The principal component analysis
revealed that the major sources of VOCs in Apapa are mainly
anthropogenic and three (3) factors were identified as sources
of VOCs in the studied area with industrial and emissions from
traffic dominating.
Ojiodu CC, Okuo JM and Olumayede EG (2013). Paradigm shift from cooperate social
responsibility (CSR) to cooperate social investment (CSI): A necessity for
environmental sustainability in Nigeria. Acad. J. Environ. Sci. 1(3): 053-061.
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