NITROGEN DIOXIDE DISTRIBUTION AND THE BACTERIAL LOAD IN AIR AROUND A COMPOSTING FACILITY

Authors

  • J. E. Ukpebor
  • E. E. Ukpebor
  • F. O. Ekhaise

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7213/reb.v28i62.22715

Keywords:

Composting Facility, Nitrogen dioxide, Bacterial load

Abstract

The composting facility at Eruemu has been appraised with particular reference to its impact on the Nitrogen dioxide and microbial load in air within and around the facility. Previous assessment of the ambient air within this facility indicated that its operation could be a potential significant source of NH3 and H2S in the environment. In this study, nitrogen dioxide monitoring was done every forthnight using Palmes diffusion tubes. For the microbial assessment, air sampling was carried out using the filtration method described by Albrecht. The total heterotrophic bacterial population ranged from 1 cfu/ml to 67 cfu/ml, with the higher bacterial count recorded for site B. No pathogenic bacterial isolates were detected in the air samples collected from the different monitoring sites. Low levels of the acidic gas NO2 was obtained at all the monitoring sites. Significant spatial variation (p<0.05 at 95% confidence interval) was observed in the NO2 data generated. Within and around the composting facility, NO2 range of 1.15 ppb (2.20 μgm-3) – 2.14 ppb (4.08 μgm-3) was measured. The highest NO2 load was measured at the monitoring site B (500 m from the facility) with a range of 2.84 ppb (5.42 μgm-3) – 6.54 ppb (12.49μgm-3). At monitoring site C, very low NO2 load was also observed. Perfect compliance with the national and international regulatory limits for NO2 was observed at all the monitoring sites.

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Published

2006-11-24

How to Cite

Ukpebor, J. E., Ukpebor, E. E., & Ekhaise, F. O. (2006). NITROGEN DIOXIDE DISTRIBUTION AND THE BACTERIAL LOAD IN AIR AROUND A COMPOSTING FACILITY. Revista Estudos De Biologia, 28(62). https://doi.org/10.7213/reb.v28i62.22715

Issue

Section

Fluxo Contínuo