Author(s)

Alloman Joseph Popouen^1*, Abdelfettah Benchrif², Ponaho Claude Kezo³, Djama Djoman Alfred Agbo¹, Aka Antonin Koua^1,4, Moussa Bounakhla², Alain Georges Monnehan^1,4

¹Laboratoire des Sciences de la Matière, de l’Environnement et de l’Energie Solaire, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
²National Centre for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (CNESTEN), Direction of Studies and Scientific Researches, Rabat, Morocco.
³Laboratoire des Sciences et Technologies de l’Environnement, Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
⁴Autorité de Radioprotection, de Sûreté et Sécurité Nucléaires, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

This paper describes the evaluation of trace element composition of atmospheric aerosol particles (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and their influence on air quality in the largest industrial area of Abidjan city, C?te d’Ivoire. Multi-week sampling was conducted in an urban site (industrial area) in Abidjan from April 2018 to July 2019. The mean mass concentration was 48.83 ± 15.24 μg/m³ for PM_2.5 and 77.34 ± 10.91 μg/m³ for PM₁₀, with significant temporal variability. The average ratio of PM_2.5/PM₁₀ was 0.64 ± 0.21. The concentration of BC in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was respectively 52.32 ± 7.48 μg/m³ and 52.26 ± 12.07 μg/m³. Twenty-two elements: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr and Pb were analysed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). Elemental composition data were modeled using principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation to determine two (2) and four (4) dominant source categories contributing to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ respectively. In the case of fine particles PM_2.5, the possible sources were Industrial activities and non-exhaust emissions, exhaust emissions. The PM₁₀ sources were industrial activities and non-exhaust emissions, industrial processes, mineral dust, and waste combustion.

Aerosol Particles, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, EDXRF, PCA

Popouen, A. , Benchrif, A. , Kezo, P. , Agbo, D. , Koua, A. , Bounakhla, M. and Monnehan, A. (2022) Elemental Composition of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in the Industrial Area of Yopougon, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Journal of Environmental Protection, 13, 385-397. doi: 10.4236/jep.2022.136024.