Source Identification and Pollution Factors of Elements in PM2.5 Samples Obtained in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Air quality deterioration is a big concern all over the world. It affects both humans and animals in a variety of ways. Air pollution must be quantified to monitor its negative impacts and stakeholders to proffer mitigation options. On this note, our research team has taken measures in Nigeria to monitor and measure PM 2.5 , its associated elements, as well as local meteorological parameters during sampling period. In addition, enrichment, contamination index, and principal component analysis of associated elements were studied. For ten months (January–October 2018), PM 2.5 samples were collected at three locations in Ondo State, Nigeria with coordinates (the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)—low-density residential (LDR), Oba Ile (high-density residential (HDR), and Museum (IND, High density traffic and commercial area) (January–October). The Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI), as well as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the samples were determined. Average PM 2.5 mass concentrations [101 µg/m 3 (FUTA); 120 µg/m 3 (Oba Ile); and 176 µg/m 3 (Museum)] were found to be higher than the WHO (10 µg/m 3 ) and USEPA (15 µg/m 3 ) normal limits. The concentrations of the most prominent elements were in the order; K > Na > Ca > P > Al, while the trace elements displayed Cu > Fe > Zn > Ni > Cr > Mn > Pb. Oba-Ile had the highest metal enrichment in the order: Ti > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr. The PCA resolved four factors vis-à-vis vehicular activities, biomass burning, and soil dust as the major PM 2.5 emission sources. The findings could be useful in the current drive to develop national air quality guideline for PM 2.5 .