World Bank assisted National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) - University of Port Harcourt
Doi
Abstract
The quality of air and noise levels around Okirika communities in River
State were determined using portable hand held air monitors for air
pollutants and anemometer for meteorological parameters. The parameters
measured were suspended particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur
dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, methane and
volatile organic carbon, temperature, wind speed, wind direction and
relative humidity. The results showed the highest concentrations of
0.007mg/m3 (PM1, dry), 0.036mg/m3 (PM2.5, dry), 0.286mg/m3 (PM7, dry),
0.378mg/m3 (PM10, dry), 0.503mg/m3 (TSP, dry), 1.7ppm (NO2, dry),
3.0ppm (CH4, dry), 0.2ppm (H2S, dry), 12.7ppm (CO, dry), 2.7ppm (NH3,
dry), and 7.0ppm (VOC, rainy). The dry season concentrations of air
pollutants were higher than the rainy season concentrations. The
observed differences in mean concentrations of the air pollutants
between the two seasons were not significant in case of TSP (P
<0.05) but were significant (P <0.05) in other pollutants. The
highest mean concentrations of the gaseous pollutants exceeded
permissible limits and therefore pose environmental and health concern
for the inhabitants of the area. The quality of air in the area is poor
and need to be regularly monitored