Spatio-temporal study of criteria pollutants in Nigerian city
Date
2020-06-29
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
U. P.
Abstract
Aims: An investigation of characteristic long term air pollutants known for temporal and spatial behaviors was conducted due to increased pollution scenarios in Nigerian cities as a result of deprived environmental enforcement of statutory obligations. Study Design: One of the worlds’ most polluted cities (Onitsha lower basin) in Nigeria was selected for spatio-temporal study of three criteria pollutants combined with GIS and MATLAB alongside associated meteorological conditions during harmattan. Methodology: 72-hourly analyses of the nine different locations having 4 sampling sites and 500 meters apart were done from December to February which generated over 19, 440 experimental data per quarter of each annual study.
Results: Upper Iweka/Nitel area recorded the highest concentration of SO2 pollutant at (94.2 µg/m3) due to longer residence times and low wind mixing height. Borromeo hospital showed the least active NO2 region but converges at points 1 due to North-east wind dissimilar to sampling points 1 having the lowest PM10 distribution. Measured temperature parameter correlates inversely with relative humidity and precipitation. The GIS spatial representation corresponded to temporal variability of gaseous and particulate pollutants.
Conclusion: All sampled areas had AQI above 50; hence the study identified SO2, NO2, and PM10 as Primary pollutants of Onitsha lower basin.
Description
An original research article with figures and tables
Keywords
Air quality, GIS, harmattan, MATLAB, seasonal variations, air pollutants, meteorology, Department of Chemistry
Citation
Anyika, L. C., Alisa, C. O., Nkwoada, A. U., Opara, A. I. & Ejike, E. N. (2020). Spatio-temporal study of criteria pollutants in Nigerian city. Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research, 6(3), 1-13