A PROJECT REPORT ON THE

LEVEL, DISTRIBUTION, ECOLOGICAL, AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN DUST SAMPLES IN AKURE SOUTH, ONDO
STATE, NIGERIA.

BY

OLUWAGBEMI ESTHER FUNMILAYO

MATRICULATION NUMBER: 1909004205

SUBMITTED TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO EKITI, EKITI STATE

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE COURSE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B. Sc.) IN GEOLOGY

JULY, 2024

CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this study was carried out by OLUWAGBEMI ESTHER FUNMILAYO

with the Matriculation number; 1909004205 under the supervision of Dr. Aturamu A.O. in the

Department of Geology, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State

.................................. .............................

DR. ATURAMU A.O. DATE

SUPERVISOR

......................................... ..................................

DR. OLAOLORUN O. A.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DATE

DEDICATION

I'm dedicating this work to Almighty God for His great mercy and strength throughout the

process; Specially grateful to my Parents, D/S Pastor T.O. Oluwagbemi and Midwife E.I.

Oluwagbemi and my siblings, for supporting me this far during my program and to everyone

who has contributed to the success of the project.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge God almighty for the grace, wisdom and understanding to put all this together.

My gratitude goes to my project Supervisor - Dr. Aturamu A. O., for his fatherly care and

resilient effort towards the success of this work. I appreciate Dr. Olusola Johnson for his

wonderful supervision and immense contribution. To my parents, D/S Pastor T.O. and Midwife

E. I. Oluwagbemi for their support, most importantly, their prayers and financial support. I

would like to acknowledge my friends who have contributed in one way to another. My

indebtedness goes to the Head of the Department of Geology - DR. OLAOLORUN O.A., thank

you, Sir. Finally, I extend my sincere gratitude to my lecturers; Prof. O.L. Ademilua, Prof. O.F.

Adebayo, Prof. R.A. Obasi, Prof. A.O. Talabi, Prof. S.A. Akinyemi, Dr. O.O. Akinola, Dr. O.L.

Afolagboye, Dr. O.F. Ojo, Dr. (Mrs) Y.C. Ajisafe, Mr. H.Y Madukwe and Mr. C.A. Ajayi. Their

belief in my capabilities has been a constant source of motivation. Thank you all.
ABSTRACT

This study investigates the concentrations of heavy metals in dust samples collected from various
locations in Akure metropolis, Nigeria, and assesses their potential ecological and human health
risks based on international guidelines. Metals analyzed include lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd),
mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni). Results indicate diverse
contamination levels across sampling sites, reflecting both industrial and traffic-related
emissions. Lead concentrations averaged 28.5 mg/kg, with localized peaks exceeding the WHO
limit of 85.00 mg/kg, posing significant health risks, especially in high-traffic zones. Cadmium
levels averaged 6.2 mg/kg, surpassing the WHO guideline of 0.80 mg/kg, indicating substantial
contamination and potential health concerns due to its toxicity. Mercury averaged 0.85 mg/kg,
below the WHO threshold, suggesting minimal health risks despite localized higher
concentrations. Arsenic and chromium levels averaged 1.4 mg/kg and 4.3 mg/kg, respectively,
both below their respective WHO limits. Spatial distribution maps highlight hotspots of
contamination, correlating with industrial and urban development areas. Ecological risk
assessments using potential ecological risk index (PERI) indicate moderate to high risks,
particularly for Pb and Cd, with implications for local ecosystems. Human health risk
assessments consider exposure through dust ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation pathways,
revealing elevated hazard indices (HI) in certain residential and industrial zones. Principal
Component Analysis (PCA) identifies sources of contamination, attributing significant
contributions to industrial emissions and vehicular exhaust. The study underscores the urgent
need for regulatory measures and remediation strategies to mitigate heavy metal pollution in
Akure metropolis, safeguarding both environmental quality and public health. This abstract
summarizes the study’s findings on heavy metal contamination in Akure metropolis, highlighting
specific concentrations, distribution patterns, ecological risks, and implications for human health
based on WHO guidelines and analytical methods.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

CERTIFICATION ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

ABSTRACT v

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background information……………………………………………………………… 1

1.2 Statement of research problem……………………………………………………… 2

1.3 Objectives of study…………………………………………………………………… 3

1.4 Previous research in Akure………………………………………………………........ 4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Geology of the study area…………………………………………………………… 8

2.2 Sampling and site selection for dust samples…………………………………………..11

2.3 Overview of heavy metals pollution in urban environments………………………..…14

2.4 Effects of heavy metals in ecological systems and human health……………………...15

2.5 Factors influencing the distribution of heavy metal……………………………………17

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research methodology…………………………………………………………………18

3.2 Dust sample collection procedures…………………………………………………….19

3.3 Quality control/assurance……………………………………………………………..21

3.4 Ecological and pollution assessment………………………………………………………21

3.4.1 Geo-accumulation index (i-geo)…………………………………………………………21

3.4.2 Contamination factor (CF)…………………………………………………………….…22

3.4.3 Enrichment factor (EF)………………………………………………………………..… 23

3.5 Pollution assessment………………………………………………………………............. 24

3.5.1 Ecological risk assessment……………………………………………………………..... 24

3.6 Human health risk assessment………………………………………………………………25

3.6.1 Ingestion rate…………………………………………………………………...............…25

3.6.2 Dermal contact…………………………………………………………………................. 26

3.6.3 Inhalation………………………………………………………………………..................
26

3.6.4 Health risk assessment of non-carcinogens……………………………………..................

26

3.6.5 Hazard index……………………………………………………………………………… 27

3.6.6 Data analysis……………………………………………………………………..……….. 28

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Concentrations of the heavy metals in the dust particles…………………………………….29

4.2 Geo-accumulation index(Igeo) , Contamination factor (CF) and Enrichment factor (EF)….32

4.3 Level of association between the heavy metals in the study

area…………………………….35

4.4 Principal component analysis (PCA)…………………………………………………………

37
4.5 Inhalation, dermal contact and ingestion rate of the heavy metals in roadside dust……….. 39

4.6 Non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals through three exposure pathways …………………
40

4.7 Carcinogenic risk of heavy metals through three exposure pathways……………………….41

4.8 Public health implication of Heavy Metals in Akure ……………………………………….43

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………..44

5.2 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………45

REFERENCES
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1 Geological distribution of study area

Figure 2.2 Geology of the study area

Figure 2.3 Map showing the sampling points

LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Geological distribution of study area

Table 2.2 Sampling points coordinates

Table 3.1 Wavelength and limit of detection (Lod) for heavy metals analyzed

Table 3.2 Class and description of geo-accumulation index

Table 3.3 Allowable limits of heavy metals in soils as established by the department of
petroleum resources

Table 3.4 Reference dose (RfD) and cancer slope factor (CSF) in selected 10 heavy metals

Table 4.1 Statical summary of the various concentrations of heavy metals in the study area

Table 4.3 Correlation between the heavy metals in the dust

Table 4.4 Table principal component (PC) analysis of selected heavy metals

Table 4.5 Potential ecological risk index and risk index of the heavy metals

Table 4.6 Inhalation, dermal contact and ingestion rate of the heavy metals roadside dusts

Table 4.7 Non-carcinogenic risk of selected ten heavy metals through three exposure pathways