TITLE:
Physicochemical Characterization of Soot Particles from Selected Combustion Sources: Implications for Environmental Pollution and Resource Utilization
AUTHORS:
Roselyn Benjamin Sumi, Adams Udoji Itodo, Ishaq Shuaibu Eneji, Moses Saviour Iorungwa, Godwin Owoicho Awodi
KEYWORDS:
Soot, Combustion Source, Physicochemical Properties, Particulate Matter, Biomass Combustion, Diesel Emissions, Environmental Pollution, Carbonaceous Materials
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.8,
August
25,
2026
ABSTRACT: Soot generated from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass constitutes a major component of atmospheric particulate matter and poses significant environmental and public health concerns. The physicochemical properties of soot influence its atmospheric behaviour, environmental persistence, pollutant transport, and potential utilization as a carbonaceous precursor for industrial and environmental applications. This study comparatively evaluated the physicochemical characteristics of soot particles collected from five common combustion sources, namely kerosene stove, firewood, diesel generator, diesel vehicle exhaust, and kerosene lamp. The samples were collected from selected combustion sources within Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria, representing common domestic and transportation-related emission sources in the study area. Soot samples were collected under normal operating conditions and analysed for moisture content, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, apparent density, particle number density, attrition, and solubility using standard analytical procedures. The results revealed marked variations among the soot samples, reflecting differences in combustion conditions and fuel composition. Moisture content ranged from 1.05% ± 0.01% in diesel soot to 2.27% ± 0.01% in kerosene lamp soot, whereas bulk density varied from 0.0547 ± 0.0001 g/mL to 0.2983 ± 0.0001 g/mL. Kerosene stove soot exhibited the highest pH (8.63 ± 0.06), indicating an alkaline nature, while diesel vehicle soot recorded the lowest pH (5.10 ± 0.08). Electrical conductivity ranged between 20.81 ± 0.01 µS/cm and 77.77 ± 0.23 µS/cm, suggesting variations in soluble ionic constituents among the combustion-derived particles. Apparent density values ranged from 0.0948 ± 0.0010 g/mL to 0.5166 ± 0.0010 g/mL, whereas particle number density showed only slight variation among samples, ranging from 0.0147 ± 0.0003 to 0.0178 ± 0.0001 g/mL. Attrition values remained below 0.07%, indicating relatively stable particulate structures, while the uniformly low solubility values confirmed the predominantly insoluble and hydrophobic nature of the soot particles. Overall, the study demonstrated that physicochemical characteristics differed among soot samples collected from the selected combustion sources, with implications for atmospheric transport, environmental behaviour, pollution monitoring, and potential valorisation of soot as a carbonaceous material. These findings provide baseline information for environmental risk assessment and sustainable management of combustion-derived particulate matter.