Ambient air quality assessment at a palm kernel oil production site in Cape Coast

Abstract

Ambient air inhalable particulate matter, Black Carbon (BC) and heavy metal concentration levels in the ambient air derived from combustion at a local palm kernel production site was assessed in this study. The goal of this work was to identify the effect of biomass burning from palm kernel oil production activities on ambient air quality at Akotokyir and its environs and the possible health effects. An IVL sampler and a Sierra Anderson (GAST) pump were used to sample PM10 air particulate matter from 20th December, 2014 to 23rd March, 2015. Elemental and black carbon concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Smoke Stain Reflectometer respectively. The average mass concentration of the PM10 particulates was found to be 121.19 µg/m3 with maximum and minimum values of 658.68 µg/m3 and 21.01 µg/m3 respectively. The maximum and minimum BC mass concentration in PM10 particulates were 30.04 µg/m3 and 11.42 µg/m3 respectively and the mean percentage of BC was 8.5%. Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co, Ca, Mg, Na and K in the air particulates were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Na, Fe, Ca, and Mg were present as major elements whiles the rest were present in trace quantities. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed 5 major sources; biomass burning (36.69%), two stroke engines (17.46%), soil dust (16.76%), and Sea salt (7.81%). The fifth source could not be identified. Comparative Air Quality Index (AQI) analysis revealed that only 48.88% of the sampling days had air quality which could be classified as good, 32.55% as moderate, 6.98% as unhealthy, 6.98% as unhealthy for sensitive group and 4.61 % as hazardous.