Effect of Cement Production Processes on Dry Atmospheric Chemistry in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract The study evaluated the effect of cement production processes on dry atmospheric chemistry in Southern Nigeria. Sampling of CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, VOC, H2S, PM2.5, PM10 were taken from three sites at cement production process namely: milling site, quarrying site and loading bay. Results revealed that milling site had highest general levels of dry atmospheric chemistry while quarrying recorded highest particulate matter and SO2. Comparison of air pollutants to global environmental standards showed limits exceedances in CO, SO2, NO2, PM10 across the three sites. Pearson product moment correlation revealed flipped relationship among and between the pollutants. Principal component matrix for the three locations showed high positive and negative loadings of CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, VOC, H2S, PM2.5, PM10 existing in clusters from different sources. Monthly air quality index report implicated PM10 and SO2 as major constituents of hazardous and very unhealthy air quality around the area. Recommendation were made among others that the company should conduct an environmental auditing of all there processes so as to improve their environmental performance.