Metal Speciation and Pollution status of Trace Metals in Roadside Dusts in high traffic density areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Roadside dusts from high traffic density areas in Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket, Ibeno, Abak and Itu local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were analyzed for concentrations of total cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc and lead.  Optimized Bureau Community of Reference (BCR) speciation method was used for determination of metals forms. Results indicated that, mean concentrations of Cd and Cu were higher while concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb were lower than their standards. Cd and Cr existed predominantly in acid extractable form, Cu and Zn in residual fraction while Ni and Pb mostly in reducible form. Cd and Pb were in the high risk class while Cu, Ni and Zn were within the low risk zone. Ibeno as the most contaminated area studied, closely followed by Uyo while Abak was the least contaminated area. Correlation analysis indicated strong positive association and common source for the metals evaluated in this study.