Abstract

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An assessment of outdoor bio-aerosols and particulate exposure was carried out to study and determine the association of the particulates and the organic matter. This was carried out at Trans Amadi industrial area of Port Harcourt where most outdoor sources of atmospheric particles are emitted, due to industrial activities. Seven locations were established for sampling which consist of Azuabie Market, Abuloma Jetty, Jenny & Jessy Street, Mother Cat, Rivoc Road, Royal Palm Estate, and Slaughter/Coca Cola Axis. The condition of temperature, humidity, cloud cover, wind speed and other air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), ammonia (NH3), and particulate matter (PM 2.5) and (PM 10) were considered. Bio-aerosols were determined by open plate sedimentation technique where a prepared culture media plate was opened for 20 minutes for microbes to settle. The study showed abundance and diversity of microorganisms in the atmosphere of the industrial polluted area. PM 10 was significantly higher than other pollutants with 610.97 at Jenny & Jessy Street and Rivoc Road while PM 2.5 was 498.96 at Jenny & Jessy Street and Rivoc Road, followed by Royal Palm Estate with 386.6. The minimum and maximum temperature values in all sampling sites was between 25-35oC during the sampling time, while the relative humidity was within 37-72%. Wind speed in all sampled sites was 0.78-1.9 m/s. Cloud cover was 47-76% while ozone (O3) was higher at 131.1 μg/m3 at Jenny & Jessy Street and Rivoc Road followed by Azuabie Market which was 114.4 μg/m3. The result revealed isolation of four fungal isolates and nine bacterial isolates including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillum sp, and Micrococcus sp, Klebsiella sp, Streptococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Shigella sp, Enterobacter sp, Escherichia coli, were observed.This study has presented evidence of biological aerosols in soot deteriorated outdoor ambient air.

Keywords: Bioaerosols, Soot-pollution, PM2.5-10 concentration, Public-Health, Bacteria, Fungi.