Heavy Metal Concentrations in Road Dust in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

摘要

The investigation of the anthropogenic contribution to heavy metals contamination on road surface is very necessary for environmental planning and monitoring in urban dwellings. In the present study, the concentration of four heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni) in road dust from two locations being Northern Highway and Adjame Bus Station in Abidjan were sampled and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The pollution status was assessed using Degree of Contamination (DC), Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Enrichment Factor (EF). The results obtained as compared with the alert values of the New Dutch List, showed that road dusts in Abidjan have elevated concentrations of Pb Cu and Ni. Results of DC, PLI and EF were in agreement with the heavy metal contamination levels of the two sites. The observed concentration levels show the need for mitigation measures to be applied to prevent ill-health effect.