POLLUTION IMPACT OF CEMENT PRODUCTION ON AIR, SOIL AND WATER IN A PRODUCTION LOCATION IN

Environmental pollution caused by the activities of Ewekoro Cement production facility of the West African Portland Cement (WAPC, Plc), Ogun State, Nigeria was studied at some terrestrial and aquatic receptor locations within the catchments area of the production plant which has been in operation for over 40years. Air, water and soil samples of the adjoining villages (Ajobiewe, Olapeleke, Alaguntan and Wasinmi) were analyzed. High particulate matter deposi-tions were recorded for all the sampling locations. Dusts emitted from the cement factory were rich in heavy metals. Heavy metals concentration at Ajobiewe, Olapeleke and Alaguntan were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared with those obtained at Wasimi – the farthest location from the pollution source, which served as control for particulate and soil sampling. The distri-bution of heavy metals in the soil sampled followed in decreasing order of Mn>Ni>Fe>Cr>Zn>Cu>Co>Pb>Cd. Heavy metals concentrations were significantly different (p<0.05) at the closest locations around the plant compared to Wasinmi (the control). Basic cations and anions in the water samples from the 3 rivers draining the area were within interna-tionally recommended values for irrigation except the electrical conductivity (EC) and nitrate (NO3-) in Alaguntan River which were found to be above the maximum permissible limits by 5.41 % and 64.30 % respectively. Comparatively, heavy metals concentration were significantly higher (p<0.05) in samples from Alaguntan River than in corresponding sample from Elebute and Itori Rivers. Heavy metals concentration in these rivers were high compared to similar riv-ers at other places with no cement production. These elevated heavy metal levels may be a limita-tion to using the rivers for irrigation