The effect of gas
flaring on galvanized roofing sheet was studied in Akwa-Ibom State. Data
collected from study location include 60 and 80mm exposed and unexposed
galvanized roofing sheets. Twenty months rainfall, temperature and pH values
were obtained from the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) weather station. The chemical
composition of the sample material was analyzed using Atomic Absorption
Spectrometer (AAS). The results obtained shows that the constituents of the
exposed roofing sheet to be Ni, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ca, Na, Mn, Pb, Zn and Fe with the
values of 0.0038, 0.0044, 0.0046, 0.0063, 0.011, 0.0122, 0.0695, 0.456, 3.85
and 50.05 % respectively. Similarly the unexposed sample has the trace elements
of Cr, Mg, Ni, Ca, Cu, Na, Pb, Mn, Zn and Fe with values of 0.0049, 0.0059,
0.0061, 0.0101, 0.0155, 0.0206, 0.0501, 0.0702, 4 and 48.15% respectively. The
least and most heavy elements for the exposed sample are Ni and Fe with
corresponding values of 0.0038 and 50.05%, while the least heavy and most heavy
for unexposed are Cr and Fe with corresponding values of 0.0049 and 48.15%
respectively. Result obtained showed that weight gained varied from 0.0004% Mg
to 1.9% Fe while weight loss varied from 0.0023% Ni to 0.15% Zn. Also
statistical analysis calculated shows a significant difference in t-calculated
which was 0.824 and t-tabulated which was α= 0.05 as level of significant.
Indicating that the roofing sheets experienced oxidation and reduction of the elements
in exposed samples. Data revealed that the months of December, January and
February experienced the least rainfall while May 2013 and June 2014 have the
same value of rainfall as 386.10mm with temperature of 31.8oC at pH
of 5.8 respectively.
