Investigation of diurnal and seasonal characteristics of total suspended particulate pollutants in Mombasa

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that air pollution can have adverse effects on life and materials. Therefore, monitoring of various types of pollutants has been found necessary inorderto determine their concentration levels in the atmosphere. The aim of the work presented here was to determine the daily and seasonal characteristics of total suspended particulates in Mombasa, a coastal town and the second largest urban area in Kenya. Being the first investigation of particulate pollutants in the town, it was considered that the study would provide a basis for future monitoring of air pollutants. The results were ~.lsoaimed to forrn afirst step toward future modelling of~the behaviour of air pollutants in , a coastal urban area. The objectives were met by use of a High Volume Sampler. The l~mitations of the'project work were dictated by lack of resources and by the sampling procedure. The only available samp-Ierwas employed to sample air for airborne particu~tes at three locations.