Air Quality Assessment in Petroleum Flow Station: A Case Study of Oredo Flow Station

Abstract

Air quality is a vital aspect of environmental health and a key determinant of human wellbeing. This study was carried out to assess air quality parameters and noise levels around Oredo Flow Station in Edo State, Nigeria. Parameters measured during the study were temperature, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and noise. Each parameter was measured using appropriate equipment. Measurements were done at three points: Point A (300m from the flare site), Point B (200m from the flare site) and Point C (100m from the flare site) and in triplicates with mean values recorded. The result showed that temperature ranged from 28.60±0.3°C to 29.22±0.3°C; SPM ranged from 17.16±3.9 μg/m3 to 60.74±14.6 μg/m3 ; SO2 ranged from 0.01±0.0 ppm to 0.03±0.0 ppm; CO concentrations ranged from 0.03±0.0 ppm to 4.45±1.3 ppm; and VOC concentrations ranged from 0.01±0.0 ppm to 1.87±0.2 ppm. The mean noise levels ranged from 56.24±2.8dB to 87.78±2.8dB. Time-weighted average noise level ranged from 56.2dB to 87.8dB. For all parameters, there was a general decreasing trend in values as distance to the flare site increased indicating that air quality parameters in the area were influenced by gas flaring activities. Recommendations made include routine air quality monitoring, alternative use of natural gas and implementing noise control measures.