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Dispersion of PM and VOC pollutants from open burning of municipal solid wastes on host communities: emission inventory estimation and dispersion modelling study

Adewemimo Oluwakunmi Popoola *a, Lukuman Adekilekun Jimoda a, Olusesan Abel Olu-Arotiowa a, Oyetola Ogunkunle *b, Opeyeolu Timothy Laseinde b, Sunday Adekunle Adebanjo c and Wuraola Abake Raji d
aDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria. E-mail: aopopoola95@lautech.edu.ng
bDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. E-mail: oogunkunle@uj.ac.za
cDepartment of Chemical and Polymer Engineering, Lagos State University, Nigeria
dDepartment of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria

Received 21st March 2023 , Accepted 15th May 2023

First published on 2nd June 2023


Abstract

The emissions from open burning of municipal solid wastes (MSWs) are very harmful. Owing to the scarcity of information on the impact of open burning of MSW on the onsite workers and the population within the vicinity of the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site in Ilorin, Kwara State, this study focused on examining the impact of open burning of solid waste at the dump site on its host communities. The criteria air pollutants (CAPs) such as particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined using the emission factor approach. Deposition gauges were deployed at selected sampling spots to collect particulates which were characterized for heavy metal concentrations for the wet and dry seasons using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The seasonal deposition fluxes, the deposition velocities and the scavenging ratios of the elements were estimated. The ground level concentrations of each of the CAPs within a 15 km radius were predicted using the AERMOD software (Version 8.2.0). The results showed that the emission inventory for PM and VOCs is in the range of 2200.5–2481.1 and 5913.9–6668.0 tons per annum between 2016 and 2020, respectively. Fourteen elements (Fe, Au, Ag, Pd, Rh, Cd, Zn, In, Sn, Cu, Mn, Ti, Ru, and S) were identified from the deposition study, with Fe having the highest concentration of 67[thin space (1/6-em)]512.8 and 73[thin space (1/6-em)]845.5 μg m−3 in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The wet and dry deposition fluxes ranged from 7.32 to 11.46 and 38.83 to 88.8 g per m2 per month, respectively. Deposition velocities of the trace metals were in the range of 0.0000528–0.00075444 and 0.0003377–0.0048183 m s−1 in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The average 1, 8, 24 h, and annual concentrations were 16[thin space (1/6-em)]175, 6634, 3190 and 409 μg m−3 for PM and 20[thin space (1/6-em)]959, 7000, 3700 and 418 μg m−3 for VOCs, respectively. This research shows that open burning of solid wastes is characterized by harmful gaseous emissions and heavy metals with potential adverse effects on receptor communities. These findings will serve as baseline information for environmental protection agencies.



Environmental significance

This research investigated the emissions from open burning of solid waste at the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site. The ground level concentrations of criteria air pollutants were estimated using AERMOD. The criteria air pollutants (CAPs) such as particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined using the emission factor approach. This study established the fact that anthropogenic activities such as open burning of solid waste produce heavy metals in large concentrations, which has a negative impact on the environment. Baseline data were generated which can be adopted by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Environmental Protection Agency. This research provided a template for stakeholders in the environmental sector to take appropriate measures to attenuate the effects of open burning of solid waste on human health and the environment.

1. Introduction

With the increase in human population and the non-stop generation of solid wastes on a daily basis, so is the corresponding magnitude and variety of wastes contending for space with men and its effect impairing the quality of the environment.1 As much as one billion tonnes of wastes, equivalent to about half of all the municipal solid wastes generated on Earth are burnt in open and uncontrolled fires around the world annually.2 Because of the release of a hazardous cocktail of emissions into the atmosphere and onto land, the impact on human health and the environment is likely to be severe, posing risks to populations, workers, and the environment.3

Different types of materials are classified as municipal solid waste (MSW). These include refuse, sludge from a waste treatment plant, air pollution control facility and other discarded materials such as solid, liquid, semisolid, and/or gaseous materials resulting from industries. Waste from institutions such as schools and hospitals, community activities, as well as commercial sources, such as restaurants and small businesses, mining and agricultural operations, are also regarded as MSW.4 The rate and quantity of waste generation have recently increased. As the quantity of waste increases, so does the variety.5 As opposed to the prehistoric period, when wastes were merely a nuisance that had to be disposed, proper management was not a major concern because of the small number of people and a vast amount of land was available to the population at the time. During this period, the environment readily taken up by the amount of waste produced without any degradation.6

The World Bank predicts that waste generation will increase from 2.01 billion tonnes in 2016 to 3.40 billion tonnes in 2050. At least 33% of this waste is currently mismanaged globally through open dumping or burning.7 The rise in waste generation rate will result in an increase in environmental challenge if not effectively managed. Global MSW data revealed a generation rate of 0.68 billion tons per year in 2000 and 1.3 billion tons per year in 2010, with an estimated 2.2 billion tons per year in 2025 and 4.2 billion tons per year in 2055.8 Today, the rate at which waste is being generated is about 70% as compared to the total rate of its disposal which is 30%.9 Municipal solid waste management (MSWM), a vital feature in achieving sustainable metropolitan growth, entails the separation, storage, collection, relocation, processing, and disposal of solid waste in order to reduce its environmental impact. Unmanaged MSW contributes to the spread of numerous diseases.10 The earth is very good at resource recovery, but when the quantity of waste generated exceeds its capacity, it presents a serious threat to lives, a concept known as pollution, which occurs at varying concentrations and affects all forms of life.11

The global public health crisis is being exacerbated by dirty air. Over 90% of the global population lives in areas where air pollution exceeds World Health Organization standards.12 Some scientific studies have found a link between the formation of PM and VOC emissions.13 Shao et al.13 reported that VOCs play an important role in the formation of PM and oxidants, contributing to summertime air pollution under certain humid conditions. Their report suggested that some VOC groups may promote an increase in PM concentrations unless PM levels exceed 140 μg m−3 under humid conditions.

Particulate matter (PM) refers to all solid and liquid particles suspended in air, many of which are hazardous.14 Particulate matter is a broad term used to describe air pollutants that consist of suspended particles in the air that vary in composition and size as a result of various anthropogenic activities.15 The size, composition, and the concentration of the particulate matter depend on the type of gasifier and its operating conditions such as temperature, gas velocity, moisture content in fuels, and rate of gasification. The size of the particulate matter varies from less than 1 micron to larger than 100 microns. Besides posing health risk, particulate matter is also responsible for causing fouling, erosion, and corrosion of downstream equipment.16 Particulate matter is the main contributor for air pollution. It decreases the clarity in air and therefore affects the visibility and makes it difficult to breathe such air.17 Particulate matter includes all solid and liquid particles that are found in the suspended condition in air. Many of them are usually hazardous and act as major risk factors for imposing much co-morbidity in humans.18

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaseous chemicals emitted into the atmosphere by many of the solid or liquid products we use to build and maintain our homes.19 Volatile organic compounds have a high vapor pressure but a low water solubility. VOCs contain a wide range of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term negative health effects. Many VOC concentrations are consistently up to ten times higher indoors than outdoors.20 Once in the air, some can react with other gases to form other air pollutants. Some are toxic, including those that cause cancer and other health related issues.21 VOCs can be found in both indoor and outdoor air. Some of the more well-known VOCs are benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene. VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause difficulty in breathing and nausea, and damage the central nervous system and other organs when inhaled. Some VOCs have been linked to cancer.19

Using mathematical formulations, air dispersion of a pollutant emitted by a source can be modelled.22 Vallero23 suggested that dispersion models can be used to estimate the distribution of pollutants in the atmosphere based on the emissions from a source and the atmospheric conditions. These models are commonly used to predict the concentration of pollutants at various downwind receptor locations. These models are commonly used in the management of the environmental impact of pollutant emissions. Air dispersion modelling is a widely used tool for managing the impacts of pollutant emissions on the environment. As Ryan and LeMasters24 noted, these models are commonly used for various purposes, such as environmental impact assessments, risk analysis, emergency planning, and source apportionment studies. The models estimate the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere and help to assess the potential impacts on human health and the environment. Air dispersion models play a significant role in the policy and decision-making process. By providing information on the potential impacts of emissions, they help policymakers and decision-makers to make informed choices about environmental policies and regulations, such as setting emission limits and establishing air quality standards. These models also assist in identifying areas where air quality management efforts are needed and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies.

Open waste burning is common practice in low- and middle-income countries, but systematic and modelling studies and evidence of the practice are lacking.25 The scientific foundation for modelling the impact of emissions from open burning is also lacking. Exposure to open waste burning was found to pose the greatest risk to human and environmental health of all waste categories and disposal methods studied.3 This work was limited to the Kwara State Government approved dump site located at Sokoto Aiyekale, along the Jebba-Bode Sadu Road in Ilorin. It involves the estimation of the emission inventory from 2016 to 2020, determination of heavy metals in the ambient air through wet and dry deposition and forward trajectory modelling of the pollutants resulting from the combustion activities using AERMOD.

2. Research methodology

This case study centred on the dispersion of pollutants (PM and VOCs) generated from the open burning of solid waste. The Industrial Source Complex Short Term Version 3 model, which is included in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Regulatory Model, AERMOD View software, was employed in the dispersion simulations of pollutants. It was used to predict the change in ground-level air quality associated with the study area at communities within a defined radius of the location to the source of the pollutants. Its uses include a wide range of options for modelling air quality impact of pollution sources. It uses the pathway that composes the run stream file as the basis for its functional organization. These pathways include Control Pathway (CO), Source Pathway (SO), Receptor Pathway (RE), Meteorological Pathway (ME), Terrain Grid Pathway (TG), and Output Pathway (OU).26 This model has two pre-processors: namely, a meteorological data pre-processor called AERMET, which calculates the boundary-layer meteorological parameters (such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and cloud cover), and prepares these data in a format readable by AERMOD, and a terrain data pre-processor called AERMAP, which designates the elevation of the receptor grid and generates gridded terrain data.27

2.1 Study area

The research site is a 600-plot (390[thin space (1/6-em)]000 sqm) government-approved disposal site with 130 burning points in Aiyekale, Ilorin, Kwara State (Fig. 1 and 2), within latitude 8° 28′N and longitude 4° 27′E. It is approximately 500 kilometers from Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital, and is strategically located at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Northern and Southern Nigeria. The geological setting of the city indicates that Aiyekale is underlain by the Precambrian basement complex comprising acidic rocks such as granite and rhyolite. The city (Ilorin) serves as the state capital and headquarters for its three local government areas. The city can be classified into three sub-areas: commercial/industrial areas, old residential area, and government reservation area.28 The city's demographic growth over time is responsible for the city's continuous rise in MSW generation rate as well as its consequences. The city's core includes the Emir's palace, the Central Mosque, and the Emir's market.8
image file: d3ea00041a-f1.tif
Fig. 1 Study area located in Aiyekale, Ilorin, Kwara State. Source: Google Earth (2022).

image file: d3ea00041a-f2.tif
Fig. 2 Picture of the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump Site. Source: Authors fieldwork (2022).

The indigenous area of town, known as the old residential area, is located in the central core area. The post-colonial area located around the city's core is the new residential area, whereas the government reserved area is the elevated neighbourhood area. Sobi Hill is an isolated hill in the city with an elevation of 394 m above sea level (ASL) in the north-western part and 200 m to 346 m in the east. Ilorin's drainage system has a dendritic pattern.28 The wet season runs from March to October, and the dry season runs from November to February. The city's average annual rainfall is 1200 mm.29 The government of Kwara State approved a bill in 2015 authorizing that all defunct landfilling locations within the city be demolished in order to make for growth and urbanization in the state, because it is an absolute mess for a state capital to have huge amounts of open refuse landfills on every accessible space on the road and street.

2.2 Emission inventory estimation

This work adopted the emission estimation techniques (EETs) to determine the amount of PM and VOC emissions due to open burning of the waste. The quantity of air pollutants emitted from the open burning of solid waste in the Sokoto-Aiyekale dumpsite, Ilorin, Nigeria was determined using the emission factor approach. Using eqn (1) reported by Sonibare,30 emission rates of air pollutants (PM and VOCs) from the open burning of solid waste were calculated. Daily, weekly, monthly and annual emissions were estimated based on the amount of solid waste burned and equivalent emission factors for each pollutant. Different solid waste types and combustion conditions could generate different emission factors in different countries. However, these emission factors for different air pollutants are taken to be the same globally, irrespective of the country.

The emission factor used for the PM and VOC emissions from municipal solid waste combustion was adopted from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The AP-42 compilation of air pollutant emissions developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)31 states that the emission factor of PM and VOCs for municipal solid waste combustion is 8 kg Mg−1 and 21.5 kg Mg−1, respectively. It simply implies that for municipal solid waste combustion, the estimated amount of particulate matter emission is 8 kg Mg−1 of the quantity of solid waste combusted. Also, to estimate the quantity of VOCs emitted, an emission factor of 21.5 kg of VOCs per mg of the quantity of municipal solid waste combusted was considered. The word estimate here means an approximate value (plus or minus) given by USEPA.

 
image file: d3ea00041a-t1.tif(1)

For year 2016,

 
image file: d3ea00041a-t2.tif(2)
 
Weekly PM emission (g) = daily PM emission (g) × 7(3)
 
Monthly PM emission (g) = daily PM emission (g) × 30(4)
 
Annual PM emission (g) = daily PM emission (g) × 365(5)
 
image file: d3ea00041a-t3.tif(6)
 
Weekly VOC emission (g) = daily VOC emission (g) × 7(7)
 
Monthly VOC emission (g) = daily VOC emission (g) × 30(8)
 
Annual VOC emission (g) = daily VOC emission (g) × 365(9)

The daily, weekly, monthly and annual CAPs for year 2017 to 2020 were estimated using eqn (2)–(9).

2.3 Estimation of deposition velocities of heavy metals using deposition flux measurement

The deposition flux measurements were carried out for both wet and dry seasons using deposition gauges according to Adebanjo et al.32 To measure the flux of settleable particulate matter, ten deposition gauges (0.2 m diameter by 0.15 m depth) were placed at strategic locations throughout the study area. During the sampling period, the gauges were left permanently for one month.33 Rainwater and sediments were collected and filtered for wet deposition using a digital weighing balance and dry pre-weighed Whatman (125 mm diameter) filter paper (model PA2102). The filter papers were then dried in a glass box to prevent further particle settlement. The filter paper and particles were then reweighed in order to calculate the total particle mass collected. For dry deposition, the gauges were also planted for a month as done in the wet season. Since it is a dry season, it was expected that the particles in the gauges will be dried. After rinsing the deposition gauges with distilled water to remove all of the deposited matter, the water was drained and filtered through a dry pre-weighed filter. The filtered papers were then dried and reweighed in a desiccator.
2.3.1 Measurement of wet and dry deposition flux. The wet and dry deposition flux rates were determined using eqn (10) according to Jimoda et al. (2010).33
 
image file: d3ea00041a-t4.tif(10)
where Wp = weight of particulate matter (g); A = area of the deposition gauges (m2); t = duration of exposure (month).
2.3.2 Heavy metal characterization in deposited PM. Using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry, the deposited matter was analyzed for heavy metals. All measurements were performed with a Model XR-100CR, a high-performance X-ray detector with a preamplifier and a cooler system that uses a thermoelectrically cooled Si-PIN photodiode as an X-ray detector. Because of its high sensitivity, which measures to parts per million of a gram in a sample, the EDXRF was used for this analysis. It also functions as a multi-element detector. The elements detected are iron (Fe), gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), indium (In), tin (Sn), tungsten (W), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), ruthenium (Ru) and sulphur (S).
2.3.2.1 Analysis instrumentation. The instrument to be used for this analysis is an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. The X-ray spectrum emitted by a solid sample bombarded with a focused beam of electrons is used in this method to obtain a localized chemical analysis.34 In concept, all elements with atomic numbers ranging from 4 (Be) to 92 (U) can be identified. Qualitative analysis involves identifying the lines in the spectrum and is relatively simple due to the simplicity of X-ray spectra. The qualitative approach (identifying element concentrations) involves measuring line intensities for each element in the sample as well as the same elements in known composition calibration standards.35 For the 5.9 keV peak of 55Fe, the detector resolution is 220 eV FMHM with a shaping time constant of 12 μs for the standard setting and 186 eV FMHM with a shaping time constant of 20 μs for the optional setting. The XRF-FP qualitative analysis software package was used to analyze the samples qualitatively. This converts elemental peak intensities into concentrations or film thicknesses.
2.3.2.2 Sample preparation. The samples were dried, crushed, and grinded before being analyzed. The samples were pelletized using steel molds, pellets, and a hydraulic press, with aluminium foil used as a binding material to keep the sample particles together after they were removed from the molds. This was followed by sample irradiation, which is discussed further below.
2.3.2.3 Sample irradiation. The sample chamber was filled with irradiated samples. The sample chamber is connected to the source X-ray tube and the Si-PIN photodiode detector, which are both at 45° to it. The source X-ray tube was set to 25 kV and a current of 50 μA, and each sample was irradiated for 1000 seconds. The actual time spent is determined by the electronic system. The real time (RT) is the amount of time it takes for the electronic system and the X-ray photon signals reproduced from the fluorescing atoms in the samples to detect the photon energy, which is usually longer than the pre-set 1000 seconds. The sample fluorescence should emit characteristic X-rays of the absorbing atoms from which the X-ray photons are ejected. The photons ejected are from the quantum physical electronic transition between the K and L shells, which produces K(α) radiation, and the one between the K and M shells, which produces K(β) radiation. The energy difference between the K–L shell and K–M shell electron transitions emits photons that appear to be reflected in the form of an increase in the wavelength of the detected X-rays. These detected photon energies are signatures for known elements with standard experimental energies against which the detected energies for each atom in the sample are compared. The detector detects the emitted photons and sends their corresponding signal currents to the preamplifier. The signal is converted to data by the multichannel analyzer and then sent to the quantitative analysis software package.
2.3.3 Evaluation of deposition velocities and scavenging ratios of the heavy metals. The heavy metal deposition velocities in the study area were calculated using eqn (11) as the flux per concentration of trace metals precipitated.33
 
image file: d3ea00041a-t5.tif(11)

The scavenging ratio of heavy metals is of importance in the understanding of the influence of deposition on the lifetime of the heavy metals in the environment. Under the approximation that the concentration of pollutants in precipitation (Cp) depends on the concentration in the air (CA) within which precipitation is formed,36 the scavenging ratio (SR) is expressed as shown in eqn (12).

 
image file: d3ea00041a-t6.tif(12)
where Cp = concentration of heavy metals in the precipitate; CA = concentration of heavy metals in the air.

2.4 Dispersion modelling

According to Amouzouvi et al.36 the spatial dispersion was modelled using the American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD). It uses two preprocessors (AERMET and AERMAP), which uses terrain and meteorological data to produce suitable input data for AERMOD. Air quality modeling is a fundamental tool for determining the spatial distribution of overall pollutant concentrations. AERMOD was used to estimate the ground level concentrations of each identified CAP and to predict the change in ground level air quality within a 15 kilometer radius of the pollutant source. It bases its functional organization on the pathways that comprise the run stream file. The modelling procedure was as follows:
2.4.1 Meteorological pathway. The atmospheric conditions of the area to be modelled were defined here so that they could be taken into account when determining the distribution of air pollution impacts for the area.
2.4.2 Control pathway. The modelling scenario and overall modelling run control such as the pollutants and averaging periods were specified here.
2.4.3 Source pathway. The source pathway is where sources of pollutants emission being modelled were defined. It gives information on the number of emission sources and pollutants specified.
2.4.4 Receptor pathway. This is where the receptors at specific locations are specified for the purpose of determining the air quality impact.
2.4.5 Terrain grid pathway. This is where the gridded terrain data to be used in calculating dry depletion in elevated or complex terrain are specified.
2.4.6 Output pathway. This is where the output results necessary to meet the needs of the air quality modelling analysis were determined. The resultant output was the ground level concentration of pollutants modelled. A uniform Cartesian coordinate was considered for the receptor pathway. A scaled map (length, breadth and scale length of the map measured) of the location was imported to the site domain where the size of the domain was specified as the X and Y coordinates for the two points, the southwest (SW) point (min.) and the northwest (NW) point (max.) of the domain. The receptor locations obtained from the map, emission sources, emission rates and meteorological data were inputted into the source dialog box. Then, the dispersion model was run to obtain the ground level concentration of emission on the host environments in 1 h, 8 h, 24 h and annual averaging time.

3. Results and discussion

The results obtained in this research include solid waste composition, determination of solid waste generated from 2016 to 2020, emission inventory estimation, determination of deposition velocities of heavy metals using deposition flux measurement, estimation of scavenging ratios of the heavy metals and modelling of the air pollutants using AERMOD.

3.1 Emission inventory estimation

The emission inventory of the PM and VOC emissions due to open burning of waste from 2016–2020 is presented in this section. According to USEPA,30 the emission factors of PM and VOCs for municipal solid waste combustion were given to be 8 kg Mg−1 and 21.5 kg Mg−1 respectively. The daily/weekly/monthly/annual emissions were estimated based on the amount of solid waste burnt and equivalent emission factors for PM and VOCs.

Table 1 shows the PM and VOC pollutants emitted between 2016 and 2020. In 2016, the daily PM and VOCs emitted were calculated to be 6[thin space (1/6-em)]028[thin space (1/6-em)]800 g and 16[thin space (1/6-em)]202[thin space (1/6-em)]400 g respectively. The weekly values were 42[thin space (1/6-em)]201[thin space (1/6-em)]600 g and 113[thin space (1/6-em)]416[thin space (1/6-em)]800 g respectively. The monthly values were 180[thin space (1/6-em)]864[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 486[thin space (1/6-em)]072[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g respectively. The yearly values were calculated to be 2[thin space (1/6-em)]200[thin space (1/6-em)]512[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 5[thin space (1/6-em)]913[thin space (1/6-em)]876[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g respectively. In 2017, the daily PM and VOCs emitted were calculated to be 6[thin space (1/6-em)]212[thin space (1/6-em)]800 g and 16[thin space (1/6-em)]696[thin space (1/6-em)]900 g, respectively. The weekly values were 43[thin space (1/6-em)]489[thin space (1/6-em)]600 g and 116[thin space (1/6-em)]878[thin space (1/6-em)]300 g respectively. The monthly values were 186[thin space (1/6-em)]384[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 500[thin space (1/6-em)]907[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g respectively. The yearly values were calculated to be 2[thin space (1/6-em)]267[thin space (1/6-em)]672[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 6[thin space (1/6-em)]094[thin space (1/6-em)]368[thin space (1/6-em)]500 g respectively. In 2018, the daily PM and VOCs emitted were calculated to be 6[thin space (1/6-em)]401[thin space (1/6-em)]600 g and 17[thin space (1/6-em)]204[thin space (1/6-em)]300 g, respectively. The weekly values were 44[thin space (1/6-em)]811[thin space (1/6-em)]200 g and 120[thin space (1/6-em)]430[thin space (1/6-em)]100 g, respectively. The monthly values were 192[thin space (1/6-em)]048[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 516[thin space (1/6-em)]129[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g, respectively. The yearly values were calculated to be 2[thin space (1/6-em)]336[thin space (1/6-em)]584[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 6[thin space (1/6-em)]279[thin space (1/6-em)]569[thin space (1/6-em)]500 g, respectively. In 2019, the daily PM and VOCs emitted were calculated to be 6[thin space (1/6-em)]596[thin space (1/6-em)]800 g and 17[thin space (1/6-em)]728[thin space (1/6-em)]900 g, respectively. The weekly values were 46[thin space (1/6-em)]177[thin space (1/6-em)]600 g and 124[thin space (1/6-em)]102[thin space (1/6-em)]300 g, respectively. The monthly values were 197[thin space (1/6-em)]904[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 531[thin space (1/6-em)]867[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g, respectively. The yearly values were calculated to be 2[thin space (1/6-em)]407[thin space (1/6-em)]832[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 6[thin space (1/6-em)]471[thin space (1/6-em)]048[thin space (1/6-em)]500 g, respectively. In 2020, the daily PM and VOCs emitted were calculated to be 6[thin space (1/6-em)]797[thin space (1/6-em)]600 g and 18[thin space (1/6-em)]268[thin space (1/6-em)]550 g, respectively. The weekly values were 47[thin space (1/6-em)]583[thin space (1/6-em)]200 g and 127[thin space (1/6-em)]879[thin space (1/6-em)]850 g, respectively. The monthly values were 203[thin space (1/6-em)]928[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 548[thin space (1/6-em)]056[thin space (1/6-em)]500 g, respectively. The yearly values were calculated to be 2[thin space (1/6-em)]481[thin space (1/6-em)]124[thin space (1/6-em)]000 g and 6[thin space (1/6-em)]668[thin space (1/6-em)]020[thin space (1/6-em)]750 g, respectively.

Table 1 PM and VOC emissions for 2016–2020
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
PM (g) VOCs (g) PM (g) VOC (g) PM (g) VOC (g) PM (g) VOC (g) PM (g) VOC (g)
Daily 6[thin space (1/6-em)]028[thin space (1/6-em)]800 16[thin space (1/6-em)]202[thin space (1/6-em)]400 6[thin space (1/6-em)]212[thin space (1/6-em)]800 16[thin space (1/6-em)]696[thin space (1/6-em)]900 6[thin space (1/6-em)]401[thin space (1/6-em)]600 17[thin space (1/6-em)]204[thin space (1/6-em)]300 6[thin space (1/6-em)]596[thin space (1/6-em)]800 17[thin space (1/6-em)]728[thin space (1/6-em)]900 6[thin space (1/6-em)]797[thin space (1/6-em)]600 18[thin space (1/6-em)]268[thin space (1/6-em)]550
Weekly 42[thin space (1/6-em)]201[thin space (1/6-em)]600 113[thin space (1/6-em)]416[thin space (1/6-em)]800 43[thin space (1/6-em)]489[thin space (1/6-em)]600 116[thin space (1/6-em)]878[thin space (1/6-em)]300 44[thin space (1/6-em)]811[thin space (1/6-em)]200 120[thin space (1/6-em)]430[thin space (1/6-em)]100 46[thin space (1/6-em)]177[thin space (1/6-em)]600 124[thin space (1/6-em)]102[thin space (1/6-em)]300 47[thin space (1/6-em)]583[thin space (1/6-em)]200 127[thin space (1/6-em)]879[thin space (1/6-em)]850
Monthly 180[thin space (1/6-em)]864[thin space (1/6-em)]000 486[thin space (1/6-em)]072[thin space (1/6-em)]000 186[thin space (1/6-em)]384[thin space (1/6-em)]000 500[thin space (1/6-em)]907[thin space (1/6-em)]000 192[thin space (1/6-em)]048[thin space (1/6-em)]000 516[thin space (1/6-em)]129[thin space (1/6-em)]000 197[thin space (1/6-em)]904[thin space (1/6-em)]000 531[thin space (1/6-em)]867[thin space (1/6-em)]000 203[thin space (1/6-em)]928[thin space (1/6-em)]000 548[thin space (1/6-em)]056[thin space (1/6-em)]500
Yearly 2[thin space (1/6-em)]200[thin space (1/6-em)]512[thin space (1/6-em)]000 5[thin space (1/6-em)]913[thin space (1/6-em)]876[thin space (1/6-em)]000 2[thin space (1/6-em)]267[thin space (1/6-em)]672[thin space (1/6-em)]000 6[thin space (1/6-em)]094[thin space (1/6-em)]368[thin space (1/6-em)]500 2[thin space (1/6-em)]336[thin space (1/6-em)]584[thin space (1/6-em)]000 6[thin space (1/6-em)]279[thin space (1/6-em)]569[thin space (1/6-em)]500 2[thin space (1/6-em)]407[thin space (1/6-em)]832[thin space (1/6-em)]000 6[thin space (1/6-em)]471[thin space (1/6-em)]048[thin space (1/6-em)]500 2[thin space (1/6-em)]481[thin space (1/6-em)]124[thin space (1/6-em)]000 6[thin space (1/6-em)]668[thin space (1/6-em)]020[thin space (1/6-em)]750


Table 1 also shows that the emission of VOCs, which is the second highest of all the criteria air pollutants resulting from the combustion of solid waste. There is an increase in the VOC emission from 2016 to 2020 due to the increase in the generation of solid waste. From 2016 to 2020, VOCs increase from 16.2 to 18.3 tons per day, from 113.4 to 127.9 tons per week, from 486.1 to 548.1 tons per month and 5913.9 to 6668.0 tons per year. These values must be controlled because of the effects of volatile organic compounds which include damaging of the audible and visual senses.38 The average, standard deviation, and uncertainty values of daily/weekly/monthly/annual emissions of PM and VOCs are presented in Table 2.

Table 2 The average, standard deviation, and uncertainty values of daily/weekly/monthly/annual emissions of PM and VOCs from 2016–2020
Average Std. Dev. Uncertainty
PM VOC PM VOC PM VOC
Daily 6[thin space (1/6-em)]407[thin space (1/6-em)]520 17[thin space (1/6-em)]220[thin space (1/6-em)]210 303[thin space (1/6-em)]878.71 816[thin space (1/6-em)]674.04 135[thin space (1/6-em)]898.69 365[thin space (1/6-em)]227.73
Weekly 44[thin space (1/6-em)]852[thin space (1/6-em)]640 120[thin space (1/6-em)]541[thin space (1/6-em)]470 2[thin space (1/6-em)]127[thin space (1/6-em)]150.99 5[thin space (1/6-em)]716[thin space (1/6-em)]718.28 951[thin space (1/6-em)]290.84 2[thin space (1/6-em)]556[thin space (1/6-em)]594.14
Monthly 192[thin space (1/6-em)]225[thin space (1/6-em)]600 516[thin space (1/6-em)]606[thin space (1/6-em)]300 9[thin space (1/6-em)]116[thin space (1/6-em)]361.38 24[thin space (1/6-em)]500[thin space (1/6-em)]221.21 4[thin space (1/6-em)]076[thin space (1/6-em)]960.75 10[thin space (1/6-em)]956[thin space (1/6-em)]832.02
Yearly 2[thin space (1/6-em)]338[thin space (1/6-em)]744[thin space (1/6-em)]800 6[thin space (1/6-em)]285[thin space (1/6-em)]376[thin space (1/6-em)]650 110[thin space (1/6-em)]915[thin space (1/6-em)]730.10 298[thin space (1/6-em)]086[thin space (1/6-em)]024.70 49[thin space (1/6-em)]603[thin space (1/6-em)]022.46 133[thin space (1/6-em)]308[thin space (1/6-em)]122.90


Likewise, the result revealed that the emission of PM, which is the third highest of all the criteria air pollutants results from the combustion of solid waste. There is an increase in the PM emission from 2016 to 2020 due to the increase in the generation of solid waste. From 2016 to 2020, PM increases from 6.0 to 6.8 tons per day, from 42.2 to 47.6 tons per week, from 180.9 to 203.9 tons per month and 2200.5 to 2481.1 tons per year. Wheezing, aggravation of asthma, shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain are some of the short-term effects of particulate matter inhalation. Long-term exposure to particulate matter can result in heart failure, respiratory disease and lung cancer.39 Children, the aged, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions are mostly vulnerable to PM health impacts. Furthermore, pregnant mothers and their babies are at serious risk for mortality and health problems because of PM exposure.40 The emission of PM from the combustion of solid waste must be attenuated.

3.2 Deposition fluxes at selected sampling spots

Deposition gauges were used to measure the deposition flux during both seasons. Deposition gauges were placed at strategic locations to monitor the flux of settleable particulate matter. For one month, the gauges were left permanently.
3.2.1 Wet and dry deposition flux distribution at selected sampling spots. The deposition fluxes of particulates collected at the study area in the wet season are summarized in Table 3. The values ranged from (7.32–11.46 g per m2 per month), the highest flux (11.46 g per m2 per month) was found at sampling spot 4, while sampling spot 5 recorded the lowest flux (7.32 g per m2 per month). The deposition flux increases in the following order SS4 > SS2 > SS6 > SS8 > SS1 > SS9 > SS3 > SS7 > SS10 > SS5. The percentages of the deposition fluxes from sampling spot 1 to 10 were 10.3%, 11.7%, 9.3%, 12.4%, 7.9%, 11%, 8.6%, 10.7%, 9.9% and 8.2% respectively. In the dry season, the deposition fluxes of particulates at the study area ranged from 38.83–88.8 g per m2 per month. The highest flux (88.8 g per m2 per month) was obtained at sampling spot 9, while the lowest flux (38.83 g per m2 per month) was recorded at sampling spot 3. The flux increases in the following order SS9 > SS10 > SS6 > SS4 > SS5 > SS7 > SS2 > SS8 > SS1 > SS3 The percentages of the deposition fluxes from sampling spot 1 to 10 were 7%, 8.3%, 6.6%, 10.9%, 10.3%, 12.2%, 8.9%, 7.3%, 15% and 13.5% respectively.
Table 3 Wet and dry deposition fluxes at selected sampling spots
Sampling spot Wet season (g per m2 per month) Dry season (g per m2 per month)
1 9.55 41.37
2 10.82 48.70
3 8.59 38.83
4 11.46 64.61
5 7.32 60.47
6 10.18 71.93
7 7.96 52.51
8 9.87 42.97
9 9.23 88.80
10 7.64 79.89
Control 0.95 33.74


The deposition fluxes of the control site were lower than those of the sampling sites because no history of open burning is recorded at the control site which is 6 km away from the study area. The result showed that the wet season fluxes were lower than the dry season fluxes due to the high precipitation that washes down the particulates in the wet season which is not so in the dry season when we have more particles resuspended in the atmosphere thereby resulting in high deposition fluxes.41

3.2.2 Heavy metal characterization in deposited particulate matter. The concentration of each metal at the selected sampling spots is presented and discussed in this section. The presence of heavy metals such as Fe, Au, Ag, Pd, Rh, Cd, Zn, In, Sn, W, Cu, Mn, Ti, Ru and S was detected in the particulate matter collected at the sampling sites in both seasons. According to Nagpure et al.,42 open combustion of plastics, glass, metals and organic wastes results in the emission of metals. The United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have respectively set 35 μg m−3 and 25 μg m−3 as the standard for metal emissions.

Iron (Fe) was predominantly high in all the sampling spots, which is similar to the result of Kumar et al.43 However, the highest concentration was recorded at sampling spot (SS) 2, as shown in Table 4 (111.65 × 103 ± 5.575 × 103 μg m−3) while the lowest concentration of 30.679 × 103 ± 4.222 × 103 μg m−3 was recorded at SS 9. The dry season analysis reveals that the highest concentration of 117.369 × 103 ± 4.603 × 103 μg m−3 was found at SS 2, while the lowest (58.841 × 103 ± 4.613 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 4 (Table 5). The concentrations during the two seasons (wet and dry) were higher than the standards recommended by USEPA and WHO. Also, the concentrations of Fe were greater than 25.3 μg m−3 (wet season) and 18.3 μg m−3 (dry season) reported by Kumar et al. (2018). In addition, these values are higher than 31 × 10−3 μg m−3 given by Antisari et al.44

Table 4 Wet season heavy metal concentration from selected sampling spotsa
Elements μg m−3 (103)
SS 1 SS 2 SS 3 SS 4 SS 5 SS 6 SS 7 SS 8 SS 9 SS10 Control
a SS: sampling spot.
Fe 72.569 111.650 59.909 54.441 81.104 59.536 77.941 69.061 30.679 58.238 44.631
Au 4.849 4.615
Ag 15.191 11.554 15.195 16.733 16.636 16.645 13.612 18.021 23.200 17.672 14.763
Pd 13.806 11.872 13.222 16.268 13.135 15.091 13.118 14.554 15.113 14.092 12.032
Rh 40.931 34.133 37.080 54.136 36.365 41.810 33.376 39.850 51.084 45.576 38.837
Cd 27.483 19.529 23.694 28.078 19.209 23.890 21.477 25.906 32.407 31.182 22.683
Zn 4.224 6.651 2.321 4.996 7.171 4.072 7.667 6.513 3.128 5.532 1.971
In 23.380 18.550 21.254 29.581 24.070 25.284 17.710 27.051 33.129 30.214 24.920
Sn 25.223 17.107 22.236 24.218 18.836 22.741 15.781 24.830 29.497 21.245 6.368
Cu 4.292 8.456 6.115
Mn 6.111 4.692 4.591
Ti 59.967 39.830 77.145 61.716 57.692 66.638 61.716 56.232 81.337 68.712 30.264
Ru 7.618 5.887 6.287 9.127 6.617 7.552 5.705 7.911 8.987 11.168 6.728


Table 5 Dry season heavy metal concentration from selected sampling spotsa
Elements μg m−3 (103)
SS 1 SS 2 SS 3 SS 4 SS 5 SS 6 SS 7 SS 8 SS 9 SS 10 Control
a SS: sampling spot.
Fe 65.216 117.369 64.907 58.841 75.845 66.117 74.814 78.882 71.591 64.873 40.775
Ag 14.816 14.256 14.600 13.793 10.712 13.141 15.124 17.355 20.912 16.879 5.779
Pd 10.055 10.950 10.548 10.336 13.027 12.984 13.966 16.090 12.858 13.546 4.257
Rh 39.296 40.073 49.705 50.420 43.516 43.390 42.053 40.784 41.675 47.632 23.215
Cd 30.775 36.293 31.515 38.002 34.670 35.813 33.801 29.326 34.528 40.658 16.512
Zn 7.383 7.062 7.972 7.569 8.256 7.113 7.147 8.439 9.575 9.060 4.076
In 30.951 31.533 32.937 33.979 39.602 35.213 39.011 39.964 37.513 36.509 14.767
Sn 30.449 28.356 28.885 32.747 33.616 34.408 35.851 33.131 38.872 36.832 23.892
W 39.939 45.297
Cu 4.799 7.552 4.987 8.456 7.351
Ti 66.240 59.111 85.865 79.968 74.118 50.451 44.101 82.033 66.369 59.150 38.833
Ru 10.644 8.711 7.989 10.640 7.425 9.737 11.510 8.323 10.376 10.764 3.780
S 9.903 8.922 9.555 7.871 8.141 7.539


Gold (Au) was detected at two sampling spots only in the wet season, SS 6 (4.849 × 103 ± 2.396 × 103 μg m−3) and SS 9 (4.615 × 103 ± 2.2843 × 103 μg m−3). The concentration values of Au were higher than the stipulated values by USEPA and WHO. Au was not detected in the dry season.

Silver (Ag) was characterized in the wet samples with the highest concentration (23.200 × 103 ± 3.112 × 103 μg m−3) at SS 9, while the lowest concentration of (11.554 × 103 ± 2.204 × 103 μg m−3) was observed at SS 2. On the other hand, the concentration (20.912 × 103 ± 2.962 × 103 μg m−3) at SS 9 also gave the highest in the dry season, while the lowest (10.712 × 103 ± 2.689 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 5. The concentrations at all locations were higher than the USEPA and WHO set standard of 35 μg m−3 and 25 μg m−3 respectively.

The highest concentration of palladium (Pd) 16.268 × 103 ± 2.237 × 103 μg m−3 in the characterized samples, in the wet season, was observed at SS 4, while the lowest concentration (11.872 × 103 ± 1.692 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS2. Similarly, the highest (16.090 × 103 ± 3.132 × 103 μg m−3) concentration of Pd was obtained at SS 8 in the dry season, while SS 1 has the lowest (10.055 × 103 ± 0.991 × 103 μg m−3). The values obtained in the two seasons were higher than the USEPA and WHO standards.

Rhodium (Rh) was characterized in the wet samples with the highest concentration (54.136 × 103 ± 2.712 × 103 μg m−3) at SS 4, while the lowest concentration of (33.376 × 103 ± 1.959 × 103 μg m−3) was observed at SS 7. On the other hand, the concentration (50.420 × 103 ± 1.303 × 103 μg m−3) at SS 4 also gave the highest in the dry season, while the lowest (39.296 × 103 ± 2.821 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 1. The concentrations at all locations were higher than the USEPA and WHO set standards of 35 μg m−3 and 25 μg m−3, respectively.

The highest concentration (32.407 × 103 ± 4.160 × 103 μg m−3) of cadmium (Cd) characterized in the wet samples was collected at SS 9, while the lowest (19.209 × 103 ± 3.419 × 103 μg m−3) was found in the samples collected at SS 5. Analysis of particulates deposited in the dry season indicated the highest concentration (40.658 × 103 ± 2.441 × 103 μg m−3) at SS 10, while the lowest (29.321 × 103 ± 2.770 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS 8. These values were higher than the USEPA and WHO standards. They were all higher than (1 × 10−2 μg m−3) wet season and (3.9 × 10−2 μg m−3) dry season values reported by Kumar et al. (2018), as well as 0.5 × 10−2 μg m−3 (ref. 44) and 9.18 μg m−3.33

Zinc (Zn) recorded the highest concentration (7.667 × 103 ± 1.067 × 103 μg m−3) in the wet season at SS 7, while the lowest concentration (2.321 × 103 ± 0.849 × 103 μg m−3) was detected at SS 3. The highest concentration (9.575 × 103 ± 1.411 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 9 in the dry season, while the lowest (7.062 × 103 ± 1.624 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS 2. The concentrations at all locations in the wet and dry seasons were higher than the USEPA and WHO standards. They were also higher than (0.941 μg m−3) wet season and (2.48 μg m−3) dry season values by Kumar et al.43 and 22.2 × 10−3 μg m−3 reported by Antisari et al.44

The highest concentration (33.129 × 103 ± 5.168 × 103 μg m−3) for indium (In) was observed in the wet samples at SS 9, while the lowest (17.710 × 103 ± 2.807 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS 7. The highest concentration (39.964 × 103 ± 2.347 × 103 μg m−3) in the dry season was observed at SS 8, while the lowest (30.951 × 103 ± 3.511 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS 1. All the characterized concentrations were higher than the recommended USEPA (35 μg m−3) and WHO (25 μg m−3) standards.

Tin (Sn) was detected in the characterized samples collected for both seasons. The highest concentration (29.497 × 103 ± 6.353 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS 9, while the lowest concentration (15.781 × 103 ± 3.473 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS 7 in the wet season. The highest concentration (38.872 × 103 ± 6.853 × 103 μg m−3) in the dry season was also recorded at SS 9, while the lowest concentration (28.356 × 103 ± 5.814 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 2 in the dry season. The concentrations at all SS in the wet and dry seasons were higher than USEPA and WHO standards. Their concentrations were equally higher than (4.1 × 10−2 μg m−3) wet season and (14.8 × 10−2 μg m−3) dry season values given by Kumar et al.43

In the dry season, tungsten (W) was detected at two sampling spots, SS 2 (39.939 × 103 ± 1.412 × 103 μg m−3) and SS 8 (45.297 × 103 ± 4.634 × 103 μg m−3). The concentration values of W were higher than the stipulated values by USEPA and WHO. Tungsten was not detected in the wet season.

The highest concentration (8.456 × 103 ± 1.763 × 103 μg m−3) of copper (Cu) was found at SS 8, while the lowest (4.292 × 103 ± 2.103 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS 1 in the wet season. The highest of the dry season characterized concentration (7.552 × 103 ± 2.307 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 4, while the lowest concentration (4.799 × 103 ± 2.040 × 103 μg m−3) was also recorded at SS 1. The values were higher than the stipulated USEPA (35 μg m−3) and WHO (25 μg m−3) standards. The characterized concentrations of Cu were also higher than (16.9 × 10−2 μg m−3) wet season and (49.4 × 10−2 μg m−3) dry season values reported by Kumar et al.,43 as well as (21.3 × 10−3 μg m−3) by Antisari et al.44

The highest concentration of manganese (Mn) (6.111 × 103 ± 2.433 × 103 μg m−3) was detected at SS 4 in the wet season while the lowest concentration (4.591 × 103 ± 1.776 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 10. The concentration values were higher than the recommended standards by USEPA and WHO, and they are also much higher than (28.6 × 10−3 μg m−3) that reported by Antisari et al.44 Manganese was not detected in the dry season.

The highest concentration (81.337 × 103 ± 9.861 × 103 μg m−3) of titanium (Ti) was found at SS 9, while the lowest (39.830 × 103 ± 4.759 × 103 μg m−3) was recorded at SS 2 in the wet season. The highest of the dry season characterized concentration (85.865 × 103 ± 6.698 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 3, while the lowest concentration (44.101 × 103 ± 6.512 × 103 μg m−3) was also recorded at SS 7. The values were higher than the stipulated USEPA (35 μg m−3) and WHO (25 μg m−3) standards.

Ruthenium (Ru) was detected in the characterized samples. The concentration (11.168 × 103 ± 0.787 × 103 μg m−3) was highest at SS 10, while the lowest concentration (5.705 × 103 ± 0.577 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 7 in the wet season. The dry season analysis shows that the highest concentration (11.510 × 103 ± 1.278 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 7, while the lowest concentration (7.425 × 103 ± 1.690 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 5. The characterized results for ruthenium were higher in concentration when compared with the standard values by USEPA and WHO.

The concentration (9.903 × 103 ± 0.694 × 103 μg m−3) of sulphur (S) in the characterized dry samples was highest at SS 1, while the lowest concentration (7.539 × 103 ± 0.933 × 103 μg m−3) was found at SS 10. The concentration values were higher than the stipulated values by USEPA and WHO. Sulphur was not detected in the wet season. In the wet season, Fe had the highest concentration of 72.569 × 103 μg m−3 in SS 1, while Zn had the lowest concentration of 4.224 × 103 μg m−3; the metal concentrations were in the following order Fe > Ti > Rh > Cd > Sn > In > Ag > Pd > Ru > Cu > Zn. In the dry season, Ti had the highest concentration of 66.24 × 103 μg m−3 in SS 1, while Cu had the lowest concentration of 4.799 × 103 μg m−3; the metal concentrations followed the order as Ti > Fe > Rh > In > Cd > Sn > Ag > Ru > Pd > S > Zn > Cu. Fe also had the highest concentration of 111.65 × 103 μg m−3 and 117.369 × 103 μg m−3 in the wet and dry seasons respectively at SS 2, while Ru had the lowest concentration of 5.887 × 103 μg m−3 in the wet season, also Zn had the lowest concentration of 7.062 × 103 μg m−3 in the dry season.

The trend of the metal concentration Fe > Ti > Rh > Cd > In > Sn > Pd > Ag > Zn > Ru was observed in the wet season, while the concentration of metals was in the order Fe > Ti > Rh > W > Cd > In > Sn > Ag > Pd > S > Ru > Zn.

In the wet season, from SS 3 and SS 4 respectively, Ti had the highest concentration of 77.145 × 103 μg m−3 and 61.716 × 103 μg m−3 while Zn had the lowest concentration of 2.321 × 103 μg m−3 and 4.996 × 103 μg m−3 with the following order Ti > Fe > Rh > Cd > Sn > In > Ag > Pd > Ru > Zn and Ti > Fe > Rh > In > Cd > Sn > Ag > Pd > Ru > Mn > Zn respectively from SS 3 and SS 4. In the dry season, from SS 3 and SS 4 respectively, Ti also had the highest concentration of 85.865 × 103 μg m−3 and 79.968 × 103 μg m−3 while Zn and Cu had the lowest concentration of 7.972 × 103 μg m−3 and 7.552 × 103 μg m−3; the metal concentration followed the order as Ti > Fe > Rh > In > Cd > Sn > Ag > Pd > Ru > Zn and Ti > Fe > Rh > Cd > In > Sn > Ag > Ru > Pd > Zn > Cu at SS 3 and SS 4 respectively.

Fe had the highest concentration of 81.104 × 103 μg m−3 in the wet season at SS 5, while Ru had the lowest concentration of 6.617 × 103 μg m−3 in the following order Fe > Ti > Rh > In > Cd > Sn > Ag > Pd > Zn > Ru. Similarly in the dry season, Fe had the highest concentration of 75.845 × 103 μg m−3 at SS 5, while Ru also had the lowest concentration of 7.425 × 103 μg m−3; the concentration of metals was in the order Fe > Ti > Rh > In > Cd > Sn > Pd > Ag > S > Zn > Ru. In SS 6, Ti had the highest concentration of 66.638 × 103 μg m−3 in the wet season, with Zn having the lowest concentration of 4.072 × 103 μg m−3 in the following order Ti > Fe > Rh > In > Cd > Sn > Ag > Pd > Ru > Au > Zn. In the dry season, the concentration of Fe was the highest with 66.117 × 103 μg m−3 with Cu having the lowest concentration of 4.799 × 103 μg m−3 in the following order Fe > Ti > Rh > Cd > In > Sn > Ag > Pd > Ru > Zn > Cu. In the wet season, Fe had the highest concentration at both SS 7 and SS 8 with 77.941 × 103 μg m−3 and 69.061 × 103 μg m−3; the metal concentration followed the order as Fe > Ti > Rh > Cd > In > Sn > Ag > Pd > Zn > Ru > Mn and Fe > Ti > Rh > In > Cd > Sn > Ag > Pd > Cu > Ru > Zn respectively.

Meanwhile in the dry season, Fe also had the highest concentration of 74.814 × 103 μg m−3 at SS 7 while the concentration of Zn was the lowest with 7.147 × 103 μg m−3 in the following order Fe > Ti > Rh > In > Sn > Cd > Ag > Pd > Ru > S > Zn. At SS 8, Ti had the highest concentration of 78.882 × 103 μg m−3 while Ru had the lowest concentration of 8.323 × 103 μg m−3; the metal concentration followed the order Ti > Fe > W > Rh > In > Sn > Cd > Ag > Pd > Zn > Ru.

At SS 9 and SS 10, in the wet season, Ti had the highest concentration of 81.337 × 103 μg m−3 and 68.712 × 103 μg m−3 respectively. The concentration of Zn was the lowest 3.128 × 103 μg m−3 at SS 9, and Mn also had the lowest concentration of 4.591 × 103 μg m−3 at SS 10. The metal concentration followed the order as Ti > Rh > In > Cd > Fe > Sn > Ag > Pd > Ru > Au > Zn and Ti > Fe > Rh > Cd > In > Sn > Ag > Pd > Ru > Cu > Zn > Mn at SS 9 and SS 10, respectively. In the dry season at SS 9 and SS 10, Fe had the highest concentration of 71.591 × 103 μg m−3 and 64.873 × 103 μg m−3. The metal concentration followed the order Fe > Ti > Rh > Sn > In > Cd > Ag > Pd > Ru > Zn > S > Cu and Fe > Ti > Rh > Cd > Sn > In > Ag > Pd > Ru > Zn > S, respectively. The concentration of Cu was the lowest (7.351 × 103 μg m−3) at SS 9, while S had the lowest concentration of 7.539 × 103 μg m−3 at SS 10.

As discussed in this section, all the heavy metals characterized are exponentially higher than the stipulated standard. The result obtained showed that heavy metals are being released through the open burning of solid wastes, and the emission has a significant influence on the concentration of the heavy metals in the particulate samples collected, which is in accordance with Kumar et al.,43 and combustion of solid waste releases high number of particulates and metals into the environment. Some of these heavy metals trigger human poisoning (acute/chronic) after being exposed through food or air. Their accumulation in the human body causes harmful effects on organs and tissues, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and membrane damage, neurotoxicity, skin toxicity, cancer, cardio-vascular toxicity among others.45,46 Globally, heavy metal contamination is gradually turning into a critical issue of concern as a result of the release of air emissions from human activities such as open burning of solid waste.47,48

3.2.3 Deposition velocities and scavenging ratios. The deposition velocities of the heavy metals were evaluated as the flux per concentration of the heavy metals precipitated. The evaluated deposition flux (g m−2 s−1) and deposition velocity (m s−1) are presented in Tables 6 and 7, respectively. In the wet season, Au had the highest deposition velocity of 0.00075444 m s−1 while Fe had the lowest (0.0000528 m s−1). In the dry season, Au also had the highest deposition velocity of 0.0048183 m s−1 while Fe also had the lowest velocity of 0.0003377 m s−1. Owing to the higher deposition velocity of Au, its lifetime in the particles of the study area is governed by dry deposition, whereas that of Fe is governed by wet deposition. As a result, the scavenging ratio is a better parameter to use for Fe to parametrize its removal mechanism in the atmosphere. The range of deposition velocities from previous studies is shown in Table 8.
Table 6 Deposition fluxes at selected sampling spotsa
SS Wet season Dry season
(g per m2 per month) (g m−2 s−1) 10−6 (g per m2 per month) (g m−2 s−1) 10−5
a Average flux in the wet season = 3.57 × 10−6 (g m−2 s−1). Average flux in the dry season = 2.28 × 10−5 (g m−2 s−1).
1 9.55 3.68 41.37 1.60
2 10.82 4.17 48.7 1.88
3 8.59 3.31 38.83 1.50
4 11.46 4.42 64.61 2.50
5 7.32 2.82 60.47 2.33
6 10.18 3.93 71.93 2.78
7 7.96 3.07 52.51 2.03
8 9.87 3.81 42.97 1.66
9 9.23 3.56 88.80 3.43
10 7.64 2.95 79.89 3.08
Control 0.95 0.37 33.74 1.30


Table 7 Deposition velocities of trace metals (m s−1) in wet and dry seasons
Trace metals Trace metal concentration in ppt (μg m−3) Deposition velocity (m s−1)
Wet season Dry season
Fe 67[thin space (1/6-em)]512.8 0.00005288 0.0003377
Au 4732 0.00075444 0.0048183
Ag 16[thin space (1/6-em)]445.9 0.00021708 0.0013864
Pd 14[thin space (1/6-em)]027.1 0.00025451 0.0016254
Rh 41[thin space (1/6-em)]434.1 0.00008616 0.0005503
Cd 25[thin space (1/6-em)]285.5 0.00014119 0.0009017
Zn 5227.5 0.00068293 0.0043615
In 25[thin space (1/6-em)]032.3 0.00014262 0.0009108
Sn 22[thin space (1/6-em)]171.4 0.00016102 0.0010284
Cu 6287.7 0.00056778 0.0036261
Mn 5131.3 0.00069573 0.0044433
Ti 63[thin space (1/6-em)]098.5 0.00005658 0.0003613
Ru 7685.9 0.00046449 0.0029665


Table 8 Range of deposition velocities (m s−1) from previous studies
Authors Year Range
Mamun et al. 2022 0.081–0.112
Yan et al. 2014 0.0019–0.0817
Zhang et al. 2012 0.0015–0.0331
Qi et al. 2005 0.008–1
Lestari et al. 2003 0.0021–0.893
Yun et al. 2002 0.0011–0.004


The results of the scavenging ratio in the wet season (Table 9) revealed that Cu, Ti, Mn and Fe had the highest scavenging ratios, which were estimated to be 3.96, 3.39, 1.89 and 1.46 respectively. Meanwhile Zn, Ag, Sn and Cd were characterized with lower scavenging ratios of 0.66, 0.74, 0.77 and 0.95 respectively. Also, in the dry season, the scavenging ratio (Table 10) shows that Cu, Ti, Fe and In had the highest scavenging ratios, which were estimated to be 2.1, 1.57, 1.57 and 1.12 respectively. However, Ag, Pd, Zn and Ru were characterized with lower scavenging ratios of 0.61, 0.75, 0.82 and 0.89 respectively. As a result, Cu, Ti, Mn, and Fe may be better removed in the atmosphere near solid waste combustion sites via wet deposition. Wet deposition may influence the lifetime of Cu, Ti, Mn, and Fe in the environment, whereas dry deposition governs the lifetime of Zn, Ag, Sn, Au, and Cd. The contribution of scavenging particulate trace metals to the deposition flux was calculated using trace metal scavenging ratios, which are the concentrations of trace metals in precipitation divided by their concentrations in air.

Table 9 Scavenging ratios of trace metals in the wet season
Trace metals Trace metal concentration in air (6 hours) (μg m−3) Trace metal concentration in ppt (720 hours) (μg m−3) Scavenging ratio
Fe 46[thin space (1/6-em)]208 67[thin space (1/6-em)]512.8 1.46
Au 5107 4732 0.93
Ag 22[thin space (1/6-em)]228 16[thin space (1/6-em)]445.9 0.74
Pd 14[thin space (1/6-em)]643 14[thin space (1/6-em)]027.1 0.96
Rh 38[thin space (1/6-em)]794 41[thin space (1/6-em)]434.1 1.07
Cd 26[thin space (1/6-em)]605 25[thin space (1/6-em)]285.5 0.95
Zn 7980 5227.5 0.66
In 26[thin space (1/6-em)]531 25[thin space (1/6-em)]032.3 0.94
Sn 28[thin space (1/6-em)]790 22[thin space (1/6-em)]171.4 0.77
Cu 1588 6287.7 3.96
Mn 2746 5131.3 1.89
Ti 18[thin space (1/6-em)]672 63[thin space (1/6-em)]098.5 3.39
Ru 7190 7685.9 1.07


Table 10 Scavenging ratios of trace metals in the dry season
Trace metals Trace metal concentration in air (6 hours) (μg m−3) Trace metal concentration in ppt (720 hours) (μg m−3) Scavenging ratio
Fe 47[thin space (1/6-em)]097 73[thin space (1/6-em)]845.5 1.57
Au 8440
Ag 24[thin space (1/6-em)]793 15[thin space (1/6-em)]158.8 0.61
Pd 16[thin space (1/6-em)]544 12[thin space (1/6-em)]436 0.75
Rh 44[thin space (1/6-em)]620 43[thin space (1/6-em)]854.4 0.98
Cd 32[thin space (1/6-em)]443 34[thin space (1/6-em)]538.1 1.06
Zn 9648 7957.6 0.82
In 31[thin space (1/6-em)]955 35[thin space (1/6-em)]721.2 1.12
Sn 35[thin space (1/6-em)]998 33[thin space (1/6-em)]314.7 0.93
W 42[thin space (1/6-em)]618
Cu 2946 6172.3 2.10
Mn 3932
Ti 42[thin space (1/6-em)]641 66[thin space (1/6-em)]740.6 1.57


In this study, the estimated value of the highest deposition velocity was found to be that of Au (0.0048183 m s−1) which is lower than the values reported by Yan et al.,49 Zhang et al.50 and Qi et al.51 but higher than the result of Jimoda et al.33 The lowest value corresponds to that of Fe (0.0003377 m s−1) which is lower to those reported by previous studies.49,51,52 The highest deposition velocity from trace metals in the Sokoto Aiyekale dump site, Ilorin was found to be almost the same when compared with the work of Yun et al.,53 which obtained a deposition velocity of 0.004 m s−1. The estimated scavenging ratio for the trace metals in the government approved dump site, Ilorin was in the range 0.61–3.96, which is comparable to the one estimated by Alamu et al.54 A series of reviewed literature studies showed that there is paucity of information on dispersion modelling of pollutants from open burning of municipal solid waste. Researchers like Adeniran et al.,55 Ipeaiyeda and Falusi,56 Fakinle et al.,57 Daffi et al.58 and Pansuk et al.59 assessed the air pollution from household and local open burning of solid wastes in dump sites along the road/across the streets using handheld gas analyzers without modelling the gases to evaluate the dynamics of the pollutants as they travel to receptor communities. Meanwhile, this study considered Ilorin as a state capital (with over 1 million population), which is the only state capital in Nigeria with one government approved dumpsite in the city. Thus, with the magnitude of waste being burned daily on a 600 plot (390[thin space (1/6-em)]000 sqm) Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site in Ilorin metropolis with 130 burning points, the receptor communities, workers and the environment could be at risk of release of hazardous cocktail of emissions. There is hence the need for forward trajectory modelling with an American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD) dispersion model to assess and evaluate the impact on air quality in the receptor communities surrounding the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

3.3 Dispersion modelling study

The ISC-AERMORD modelling outputs of ground level concentrations for PM and VOC emissions during the study are herein presented in this section. These are guided by the available averaging period standards of the modelled air pollutants. Impacts of the open burning of solid waste on ambient air quality are also discussed. The emission sources obtained in the study having estimated to the appropriate unit before inputting them into the dispersion protocol are estimated in Table 11.
Table 11 Total average emissions (g s−1)
Year PM VOCs
2016 69.8 187.5
2017 72.0 193.3
2018 74.1 199.1
2019 76.4 205.2
2020 78.7 211.4
Average 74.2 199.3


3.3.1 The receptor locations. The communities identified and considered as receptors to air pollutants by open burning of solid waste on the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site include Sokoto, Abe Emi, Ayekale, Wara, Airport, Olorunsogo, Osere, Oko-Erin, Asa Dam, Orisumibare, and Egbejila. All these were found to be within the designated kilometer locations shown in Fig. 1.
3.3.2 Predicted ground level concentration of CAPs. The modelling outputs of ground level concentrations for all the CAPs as obtained during the study are herein presented.
3.3.2.1 PM emissions around the receptor locations. The 1 h predicted concentrations of particulate matter have values in the range 7882–788[thin space (1/6-em)]220 μg m−3 as shown in Fig. 3. The 8 h predicted concentrations are in the range 4257–425[thin space (1/6-em)]661 μg m−3 as shown in Fig. 4. The 24 h predicted concentrations have values in the range 1573–157[thin space (1/6-em)]348 μg m−3 as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 depicts the annual predicted concentrations, which range from 217 to 21[thin space (1/6-em)]706 μg m−3. The maximum concentrations of particulate matter in the 1 h, 8 h, 24 h and annual averaging periods are 788[thin space (1/6-em)]220 μg m−3, 425[thin space (1/6-em)]661 μg m−3, 157[thin space (1/6-em)]348 μg m−3 and 21[thin space (1/6-em)]706 μg m−3 respectively.
image file: d3ea00041a-f3.tif
Fig. 3 1 hour ground level PM isopleth from the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

image file: d3ea00041a-f4.tif
Fig. 4 8 hour ground level PM isopleth from the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

image file: d3ea00041a-f5.tif
Fig. 5 24 hour ground level PM isopleth from the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

image file: d3ea00041a-f6.tif
Fig. 6 Annual ground level PM isopleth from the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

3.3.2.2 VOC emissions around the receptor locations. The 1 h predicted concentrations of VOCs have values in the range 8521–852130 μg m−3 as shown in Fig. 7. The 8 h predicted concentrations are in the range 4602–460[thin space (1/6-em)]175 μg m−3 as shown in Fig. 8. The 24 h predicted concentrations have values in the range 1701–170[thin space (1/6-em)]106 μg m−3 as shown in Fig. 9. The annual predicted concentrations have values in the range 235–23[thin space (1/6-em)]466 μg m−3 as shown in Fig. 10. The maximum concentrations of VOCs in the 1 h, 8 h, 24 h and annual averaging period are 852[thin space (1/6-em)]130 μg m−3, 460[thin space (1/6-em)]175 μg m−3, 170[thin space (1/6-em)]106 μg m−3 and 23[thin space (1/6-em)]466 μg m−3, respectively.
image file: d3ea00041a-f7.tif
Fig. 7 1 hour ground level VOC isopleth from the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

image file: d3ea00041a-f8.tif
Fig. 8 8 hour ground level VOC isopleth from the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

image file: d3ea00041a-f9.tif
Fig. 9 24 hour ground level VOC isopleth from the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

image file: d3ea00041a-f10.tif
Fig. 10 Annual ground level VOC isopleth from the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site.

3.4 Impacts of modelled CAPs on air quality

The impacts of each CAP on the air quality of the host environment are herein presented.

VOCs affect the air quality more, due to their higher predicted concentrations as contained in Tables 12 and 13.

Table 12 Predicted PM cumulative impacts around the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site
Receptor Predicted concentration (μg m−3) Annual % Recommended in FMEnV % Recommended limit in WHO
1 h 8 h 24 h 1 h (600 μg m−3) 24 h (150 μg m−3) Annual (40–60 μg m−3)
Sokoto 15[thin space (1/6-em)]300 5229 2537 359 25.50 16.91 8.98
Aiyekale 15[thin space (1/6-em)]300 4257 25.50
Abe-Emi 50[thin space (1/6-em)]800 14[thin space (1/6-em)]200 4500 650 84.67 30 16.25
Wara 20[thin space (1/6-em)]800 5229 2537 217 34.67 16.91 5.43
Airport 15[thin space (1/6-em)]300 25.50
Olorunsogo 15[thin space (1/6-em)]300 4257 25.50
Osere 9800 16.33
Oko Erin 8841 14.74
Asa-Dam 8841 14.74
Egbejila 8841 14.74
Orisumibare 9800 16.33


Table 13 Predicted VOC cumulative impacts around the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site
Receptor Predicted concentration (μg m−3) Annual % Recommended in FMEnV
1 h 8 h 24 h 24 h (160 μg m−3)
Sokoto 20[thin space (1/6-em)]500 5600 2700 368 16.88
Aiyekale 20[thin space (1/6-em)]500 4602
Abe-Emi 80[thin space (1/6-em)]500 14[thin space (1/6-em)]600 5700 650 35.63
Wara 20[thin space (1/6-em)]500 5600 2700 235 16.88
Airport 20[thin space (1/6-em)]500
Olorunsogo 20[thin space (1/6-em)]500 4602
Osere 9511
Oko Erin 9511
Asa-Dam 9511
Egbejila 8521
Orisumibare 10[thin space (1/6-em)]500


3.4.1 Impacts of PM emissions on ambient air quality. The effects of ground-level PM emissions on the host environment's ambient air quality were studied using the most stringent FMEnV and WHO limits. For 600 μg m−3 (1 h averaging period) FMEnV standard, the predicted ground level concentrations for all the identified eleven receptors were above the limits with 25.5, 25.5, 84.67, 34.67, 25.5, 25.5, 16.33, 14.74, 14.74, 14.74 and 16.33 fold predicted respectively for Sokoto, Aiyekale, Abe-Emi, Wara, Airport, olorunsogo, Osere, Oko-Erin, asa-Dam, Egbejila and Orisumibare. Also, for 150 μg m−3 (24 h averaging period), the predicted concentrations were above the standard (Table 12) for Sokoto, Abe-Emi and Wara with 16.91, 30 and 16.91 fold respectively. Similarly, using WHO standards, 40–60 μg m−3 (annual averaging period), the predicted ground level concentrations were above the standard with 8.94, 16.25 and 5.43 fold at Sokoto, Abe-Emi and Wara respectively.
3.4.2 Impacts of VOC emissions on ambient air quality. The effects of VOC ground level emissions on the host environment's ambient air quality were studied using the most stringent FMEnV limits of 160 μg m−3 for a 24 hour averaging period. The predicted concentration of VOCs was higher than the standard (Table 13) in the receptor communities (Sokoto, Abe-Emi and Wara) where 16.88, 35.63 and 16.88 fold were predicted respectively.

4. Conclusions

This research has investigated the emissions from the open burning of solid waste at the Sokoto-Aiyekale dump site and the ground level concentrations of criteria air pollutants were estimated using AERMOD. The atmospheric particulate matter deposition study has highly established the fact that anthropogenic activities such as open burning of solid waste produces heavy metals in large concentrations, which has a negative impact on the environment.

From the results obtained, the following were the conclusion of the study.

(i) The emission inventory for PM and VOCs was in the range 2200.5–2481.1 and 5913.9–6668.0 tons per annum between 2016 and 2020, respectively.

(ii) Particulate characterization shows that Fe had the highest concentration of 67[thin space (1/6-em)]512.8 and 73[thin space (1/6-em)]845.5 μg m−3 in the wet and dry seasons respectively. The wet and dry deposition fluxes ranged from 7.32 to 11.46 and 38.83 to 88.8 g per m2 per month, respectively. Deposition velocities of the trace metals were in the range 0.0000528–0.00075444 m s−1 and 0.0003377–0.0048183 m s−1 in the wet and dry seasons respectively. The scavenging ratio ranged from 0.66 to 3.96 and 0.54 to 2.13 in the wet and dry seasons respectively.

(iii) The daily quality of air was within the Federal Ministry of Environment's (FMEnV) guidelines. Nevertheless, the 1 hour, 24 hour, and annual PM air quality for all receptor communities exceeded the FMEnV and World Bank standards.

(iv) Abe-Emi, Sokoto and Wara communities are at risk of VOC emissions. Also, all the receptor communities are negatively affected by PM emissions.

Conflicts of interest

The authors confirm that there are no disclosures or potential conflict of interest pertaining to this research work and its submission for publication.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the laboratory staff of the Department of Chemical Engineering, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso for their assistance during the course of this research.

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