PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF RAINWATER IN ABUJA METROPOLIS AS A MEASURE OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR POLLUTION

The physico-chemical properties and other air-borne elemental pollutants in rainwater were determined from five zones of Abuja metropolis, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, in order to ascertain the level of atmospheric air pollution of the city. Rainwater samples were collected from five zones in Abuja metropolis (1) directly and (2) from roof tops in Asokoro, Maitama, Central Area, Wuse and Garki, respectively, which were combined to give a composite sample for each sampling point. These samples were collected within the months of May, June, July, August, September and October, 2010, that represented the beginning (May/June), peak (July/August) and the end (September/October) of rainy season in Nigeria. The result of water analysis using standard methods, indicated that the physical, chemical and heavy metal contents of rain water were within the WHO/EU drinking water quality standards, devoid of acidity and impairments as a result of atmospheric pollution, gaseous emission contaminants or particulate heavy metal suspensions in air from preceding harmattan and dry season period in all locations in the territory