Author(s): Chukwuemeka Kingsley John; Jaan H. Pu
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Particulate matter is composed of liquid or microscopic solid particles that can be inhaled and have a significant influence on one's health. The roof of a building structure is an important channel for atmospheric sediment to mix with rainfall, and atmospherically deposited particulate matter affects many areas of human existence. Because the building roof functions as a centre for atmospheric sediment deposition, associated bacteria can easily infiltrate rainwater storage tanks and pose health problems for rainwater consumers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the trend of roof-top deposited microorganisms in various regions of Ikorodu Local Government Area in Lagos, Nigeria. The particulate matter deposition, as well as the type and volume of microorganism attached to the deposit, have a substantial influence on the quality of rainfall, which is further reliant on the source, hygiene, and predominance of wind speed. In simple terms, this investigation will establish a critical relationship between depositions and the quality of collected rainwater. This study also investigates the concept that roof sediment deposition is a substantial source of bacteria in the residence. The total deposition rate on the roof was evaluated for 34 weeks, including 17 rainy and 17 dry weeks. The bacteria were enumerated from roof deposit samples collected from four distinct locations to completely analyse the solid depositions and microbes in the regions. The locations were chosen based on their vegetation and sanitation. The findings revealed that enumerated microorganisms and total suspended solid (TSS) depositions were lower in the rainy season compared to the dry season, with the largest deposition occurring during the Harmattan period. Furthermore, the data revealed that locations with poor drainage infrastructure and low cleanliness had greater bacterial counts on their roofs than those with good sanitation, and that unpaved and unvegetated areas created more deposits than paved and vegetated areas. In terms of contamination sources, this study found that prior to collection, particle deposition on the roof-top polluted the roof-harvested rainfall.
Year: 2024