Atmospheric Concentration of Particulate Pollutants and its Implications for Respiratory Health Hazard Management in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Human impacts on the atmosphere have been notorious for their large emissions of trace gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere. Recently, there is growing awareness in Nigeria of the adverse effects of air pollution on health and environment especially that of Suspended particulate matter. This paper examined the spatial and seasonal concentrations of particulate pollutants and its health implications for the Port Harcourt city residence. Using standard equipments data on weekly concentration of particulates were obtained for the wet, transition and dry seasons. Findings showed that the percentage seasonal weekly contribution of PM10 by the respective landuse indicate that  the industrial areas had the peak value of 65.14%, 29.51% and 16.92% during the dry, wet and transition period respectively. The transport areas accounted for 12.43%, 14.91% and 7.34% during the transition, dry and wet seasons respectively. For the High Density Residential areas, the dry, transition and wet seasons accounted for 14.04%, 12.67% and 7.34% respectively. Finding further showed that the risk of respiratory related diseases is expected to be higher among high density residential areas of Woji, Nkpogu, Nchia, Aleto, Akpojo, Alesa, Ogonigba, Okrika main land, and Elelenwo sandwiched between the Trans-Amadi and Eleme industrial areas that are located down-wind of the city. Member of the public who are vulnerable to these diseases should stay clear from these areas. It advocates regular monitoring of particulates in order to reduce the disease burden. Keywords: Particulates pollutants, Respiratory diseases, Landuse, Seasonal, Port Harcourt

Spatial and Seasonal Influence of Meteorological Parameters on the concentration of Suspended Particulate Matter in an industrial city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Air pollution has been the primary environmental problem in Port Harcourt due to the heavy industrial foundations which are related to the oil and gas industries. This paper examines the spatial and seasonal influence of meteorological parameter on the concentrations of suspended particulate matter 10micron (SPM). Sampling was performed at six different landuse areas with the aid of multi-gas sampler and digital hand held weather tracker during the wet, transition and dry seasons from 2010 to 2011 on the bases of 24-hour continuous measurements. The spatial distribution shows that a comparatively higher concentration of PM10 was found at the high density residential and industrial areas which are in the southeastern part of Port Harcourt downwind. The relationship between air pollution and the meteorological factors showed that, air temperature and wind speed accounted for 13.2% and 22% variation in the concentration of PM10 at the industrial and high density residential areas during the dry and wet season respectively. The study revealed that there is a weak level relationship between meteorological factors and particulate matter concentrations leading to its enhanced concentrations in Port Harcourt city. The temporal distribution shows a decrease in ambient concentration of PM10 from the dry, transition to wet season mainly due to decrease in the values of the meteorological parameters. There is need to put in place policy measures aimed that controlling air pollutant concentrations. Keyword: meteorological parameters, air pollutant, landuse, particulate matter concentration, industrial city

Air Quality in the Vicinity of a Landfill Site in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The study investigated the air quality status in the vicinity of Rumuolumeni landfill with a view to determining the possible influence of weather parameters on the concentration of air pollutants from the landfill. Air quality parameters determined include nitrogen oxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOC), ammonia (NH3), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Weather parameters examined include temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction. These data were collected with respect to distance from the center of the dumpsite into the residential area at 200m intervals for seven days using composite sampling technique. Pearson Correlation Statistics was used to test significant influence of distance from the dumpsite on the concentrations of pollutants. Results indicate that, pollutants considered except NO2 were higher at the dumpsite than the residential area. The mean value of SO2, CH4, VOC, NH3 and H2S at the dumpsite was 0.67 mg/m3, 0.06 mg/m3, 2.28 mg/m3, 0.12 mg/m3, and 0.19 mg/m3 respectively. Distance from the center of the dumpsite accounted for 41% (r2 of 0.4096; r of 0.64) and 29% (r2 of 0.2916; r -0.54) variation in the concentrations of NO2 and NH3 respectively at p=0.05. Results indicate that NO2, NH3 and H2S had significant correlations with temperature at 5% significant level with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.740, -0.766, and -0.699 respectively. In addition, NO2, NH3 and H2S were significantly correlated with relative humidity at 5% significant level with correlation coefficient (r) of -0.653, 0.727 and 0.646 respectively while SO2 and VOC were significantly correlated with wind speed at 5% significant level with correlation coefficient (r) of 0.591 and 0.739 respectively. The study recommends that measures to capture landfill gases and prevent their migration to the community are necessary. Keyword: air quality, landfill, meteorological parameter, atmospheric pollutants, Port Harcourt

Meteorological Conditions in the Vicinity of Landfill and its Implications for Atmospheric Pollutant Stagnation in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The paper examined the meteorological conditions in the vicinity of landfill and its implications for atmospheric pollutant stagnation in Rumuolumeni. Air quality parameters such as; Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Methane (CH4), Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), Ammonia (NH3) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were measured using an industrial scientific ITX multigas monitor. The weather parameters (wind speed and direction, temperature, and relative humidity) were collected using Kestel 400 version 3.00 handheld weather trackers. Result indicates that the mean temperature around the dumpsite was lower than that of the neighbouring community and decreases with increase in distance from the dumpsite. This implies that pollutants stagnation is expected at the vicinity of the landfill. The total mean of relative humidity at the landfill site was higher than the relative humidity at the residential area and there was no pattern derived between distance from the center of the dumpsite and relative humidity. The total mean wind speed at the landfill site was lower than that of the residential area, thus greater proportion of air pollutants from the dumpsite were deposited around the landfill. In this study, the concentrations of SO2, CH4, VOC, H2S, and NH3 were all higher at the landfill site and thus, this suggests that the landfill site at Rumuolumeni was a good source of these pollutants. Mean temporal value of temperature, relative humidity and wind speed was 29.7oC, 65.3% and 0.24m/s respectively. It was also discovered that relative humidity correlated inversely with temperature. Furthermore, both temperature and relative humidity were significantly correlated with NO2, NH3 and H2S. Wind speed had significant influence on the concentration of both VOC and SO2. The study also showed that distance from the centre of the landfill site influences the concentrations of the air pollutants. Distance significantly influenced the concentrations of NO2 and SO2. Periodic assessment of the air quality arising from the landfill site in the residential area is advocated in the area. Keywords: air quality, landfill, meteorological parameters, pollutants concentration, residential areas

The Effect of Urbanization on Channel Adjustment and Flood Vulnerability of Woji Basin, River State, Nigeria.

The impact of urbanization on the hydrology and sediment supply of streams is a major problem causing the flooding of flood plains and its inhabitants. This study examines the impact of urbanization on the channel adjustment of the woji creek and flood vulnerability of the catchment area. The study used both primary and secondary data in its investigation. The primary data were obtained through direct field measurement of the hydro-geomorphic parameters of channel depth, width, discharge, velocity and channel morphology while data for sediment yield and infiltration capacity were obtain through laboratory analysis of samples collected from the stream channel. In the same vein, data for urbanization index was obtained by measuring the distance of urban infrastructure close to the channel. Findings showed that a unit decrease in distance to the channel resulting from an urban infrastructure will consequently lead to a increase of 0.555m/s in the velocity of flow;  0.458cumecs in discharge; 0.520m in width of the channel; 0.489m in depth of the channel;  0.466m in channel morphology and 0.504m/s in infiltration capacity of the Woji River. However, it was only sediment yield that increases at a unit of 0.372ppm for every unit increase in distance of any urban infrastructure which is a function of flood vulnerability. This shows that urbanization influence channel adjustment and exposes the catchment area to flood risk. Policies aimed at integrating flood management, preservation of the stream channel in addition to urban growth control along the Woji creek in Port Harcourt is advocated. Keyword; sediment load, runoff, urbanization, flood vulnerability, channel adjustment

Spatial Analysis of Atmospheric Pollutants from Rumuolemeni Landfill, Port Harcourt using GIS

The study identified spatial variation of air quality status in the vicinity of the landfill site in Rumuolumeni. Air quality parameters of nitrogen oxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOC), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and weather parameters of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, were collected with respect to distance from the center of the dumpsite into the residential area at various locations for seven days using composite sampling technique. Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to determine the longitude (y-coordinate) and latitude (x-coordinate) of each location which was used with the air quality and weather parameters to determine the areas of equal concentration of air quality through the method of interpolation in ArcGIS 9.3 environment. The spatial coverage of levels of concentration of each air quality parameters was calculated in hectares (ha) in ArcGIS 9.3 environment. The GIS analysis showed that the spatial coverage of the entire study area was 1.128 sq km. Result indicates that concentrations of NO2 in the study area varied spatially; values ranging between 0.034mg/m3 and 0.042mg/m3 covered 0.217sq km while the range between 0.026mg/m3 and 0.033mg/m3 covered 0.194sq km and much of this spatial coverage was within the built up area of the study area. However, the concentration of VOC between 0.543 and 0.813 mg/m3 had a spatial coverage of 0.019 sq km while the higher levels of concentration between 2.432 and 0.2.971 covered 0.027 sq km. The concentration levels of VOC between 1.353 and 1.622 mg/m3 covered 0.267 sq km, 1.893 and 2.162 covered 0.150 sq km and 1.623 and 1.892 mg/m3 covered 0.280 sq km. There was no general pattern between the level of concentration of VOC and the spatial coverage. The spatial coverage of the concentration of SO2 range of values of 0.187 and 0.373 mg/m3 was 0.413 sq km. The mean value of wind speed at the dumpsite was 0.22m/s while it was 0.25m/s in the residential area. This indicates that the pollutants have the tendency to stagnate over time in the vicinity of the landfill. It is recommended that the landfill be closed given the rate of urban sprawl to avoid the unhealthy consequences of inhaling these toxic gases. Keywords: Pollutant concentration, GIS, ArcGIS 9.2, interpolation, meteorological parameters

Spatial Analysis of Rainfall and Temperature Regimes over Selected States of Southeastern Nigeria: Implications for Agricultural Practices

The investigation of rainfall and temperature patterns is of great concern to government of nations, especially since it is evident that changes in their characteristics are especially detrimental for economies that are climate dependent. In south eastern Nigeria Rainfall and temperature have major impacts on agriculture, ecological setting and water resources management.  Also with the recent interest and investment of the government to improve on agriculture, necessitates an investigation of the patterns of rainfall and temperature, since agriculture is still large climate dependent. Expost-facto research method in the context of quasi experimental research design was adopted for the study. Data for rainfall and temperature were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). Analysis of data was achieved using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Results showed that there is an upward trend in the rainfall of Abia and Enugu States (0.1026mm and 0.0089mm per annum, respectively) while that of Imo State is a downward trend (1.1255 mm per annum). On the other hand, mean temperature is increasing annually in all the states at the rate of 0.0199 in Abia State, 0.00009 in Enugu state and 0.0151 in Imo state, per annum. The analysis of variance result was significant at p<0.05, revealing that, Rainfall, minimum temperature, maximum temperature and mean temperature were significantly different spatially. This study observed changes and irregularities in the pattern of rainfall and temperature in the south eastern region of Nigeria as a result, the study strongly advocates for a re-examination of anthropogenic actions that will transcend into environmental friendly interactions between man and the environment in the region. Keywords: Spatial, Rainfall, Temperature, Food-Security, South-Easter

Distribution of Respiratory Tracy Infectious Diseases in Relation to Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Concentration in Selected Urban Centres in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Due to the visibility of soot in the environment of the Niger Delta especially Rivers State that has led to the increase of  espiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) in the region, this study was undertaken to determine the relationship between Particulate Matter (PM2.5) concentration and the incident of Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) in selected urban centres of the Niger Delta. Data on RTIs were collected from the Hospital Management Boards of the Ministries of Health of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States and the data for PM2.5 were remotely sensed from 2016 to 2019, and subsequently analyzed with ANOVA and Spearman’s rank correlation statistics. The findings of this study revealed that there was significant variation in the occurrence of PM2.5 across the selected urban centres in the Niger Delta Region. The PM2.5 for the reviewed years was far above the World Health Organization (WHO) annual permissible limit of 10 µg/m3 thereby exacerbating Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs).The epidemiology of the RTIs showed that there are basically four (4) prominent RTI diseases: Asthma, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The result of this study showed that the concentration of PM2.5 varies in all the selected cities, and the mean monthly variation (2016-2019) showed that Port Harcourt had 47.27 µg/m3 for January while Yenagoa and Asaba had 46 µg/m3 and 47.51 µg/m3 respectively for January; while the lowest mean value in the cities were seen within the month of September and October, which also had a strong seasonal influence on the concentration of PM2.5. The concentration of PM2.5 and the numbers of RTIs also gradually increases in the study areas from 2016 to 2019. The study recommends that the necessary regulatory bodies should closely monitor the activities of the companies likely to cause such pollution; guild them through their operations and give prompt sanctions and heavy fines to defaulters of the accepted standards