Particulate Matter Deposition Inducing Heavy Metal Enrichment and Hydrochemical Degradation near a Cement Facility in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Cement production is a major source of airborne particulate matter (PM) and trace metals that can compromise the hydrogeochemical quality of surrounding ecosystems. This study evaluates PM deposition, heavy metal accumulation, soil and water quality deterioration within a 10 km radius of a cement facility in North-Central Nigeria. Results reveal evidently elevated PM deposition along production corridors (up to 9,336 μg/cm2/day) and widespread exceedances of USEPA/NIS limits for Pb, Cd, As, and Hg across environmental media. Electrical conductivity (EC) shows a strong positive correlation with total dissolved solids (TDS, r = 0.85), while PM deposition is significantly associated with lead (Pb, r = 0.62), indicating linked pathways of particulate and ionic contamination. Collectively, cement-derived emissions drive soil alkalinization, aqueous ionic enrichment, and sustained atmospheric deposition, jointly accelerating hydrochemical degradation in the surrounding environment.