Assessment of Heavy Metals Distribution and Contamination in Atmospheric Dust from Major Roads in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State using Pollution Indices

Abegunde Segun Michael, Dada Emily Bola, Adelaja Oladapo Idowu

Atmospheric dust samples from major roads in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria were analyzed for heavy metals. The heavy metals were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) Buck Scientific model 210VGP. The overall mean of the concentrations of heavy metals assessed in the samples were in the order Zn > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cr. Pollution indices such as contamination factor, enrichment factor, ecological risk factor and geo-accumulation index were used to evaluate the heavy metals concentrations in the dust. Result of contamination factor indicated that the degrees of contamination are moderate to considerate except Ni with very high value of contamination factor while enrichment factors are deficiency to moderate. All heavy metals assessed showed low ecological risk and the index of geo-accumulation of the metals in the dust samples were found within uncontaminated to moderately contaminated level except Mn which was extremely contaminated base on value computed. This confirmed that the dust from the urban area is facing probable environment pollution with dangerous heavy metal.