Monitoring Gaseous and Particulate Air Pollutants near Major Highways in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Oo Olayinka,Fo Ajibola,Oh Adedeji

doi:10.4314/jasem.v19i4.23

Abstract

High traffic volume and traffic congestion on Nigerian roads have led to increase in the concentration of pollutants in the air t posing health risks for human population. This study investigates air quality due to vehicular emissions in some busy roads in Abeokuta metropolis, Nigeria. Air pollutants such as CO, CO 2 , NO, NO 2 , SO 2 , H 2 S) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were determined using an active sampler for both dry and wet seasons. The results shows concentration of CO in the urban air ranging from 1.58 – 8.50 ppm during the dry season and 1.22 – 25.75 ppm for wet season, while CO2 ranges from 11800 – 26900 ppm for dry season and 9200 – 26700 ppm in wet season. NO ranged from 0.04 – 2.60 ppm for dry season and 0.02 – 0.66 ppm for wet season while NO 2 ranged from 0.09 – 3.40 ppm in dry season and 0.04 – 1.12 ppm in the wet season. SO 2 ranged between 0.06 – 2.18 ppm in dry season compared to 0.05 – 0.82 ppm in wet season. SPM varies between 51.00 – 642.25 ppm in dry season and 29.50 - 170.75 ppm in wet season. High concentrations of CO 2 , NO, NO 2 , SO 2 , H 2 S and SPM were obtained during the dry season compared to the wet season and can be attributed to vehicular emissions due high traffic volume on the roads. The concentrations of pollutants examined were above the World Health Organization (WHO) limits at all the sites. Keywords: Gaseous Pollutants, Air Quality, Abeokuta Metropolis, Transportation, healths

Highlights

Road vehicles are one of the principal emitters of gaseous and particulate air pollutants and are major contributors to urban air pollution (Chen, et al, 2009; Li, 2011)
The results of gaseous and particulate pollutants were stated as Carbon monoxide (CO) ranged from 1.58 – 8.50 ppm during the dry season and 1.22 – 25.75 ppm during the wet season; CO2, 11800 – 26900 ppm and 9200 – 26700 ppm; Nitrous oxide (NO), 0.04 – 2.60 ppm and 0.02 – 0.66 ppm; ppm; SO2, 0.06 – 2.18 ppm and 0.05 – 0.82 ppm; H2S, 0.03 – 1.74 ppm and 0.03 – 0.48 ppm; Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), 51.00 – 642.25 ppm and 29.50 170.75 ppm
Highest concentrations for CO2, NO, NO2, SO2, H2S and SPM were recorded during the dry season and CO during the wet season (Tables 2-3)

Summary

Introduction

Road vehicles are one of the principal emitters of gaseous and particulate air pollutants and are major contributors to urban air pollution (Chen, et al, 2009; Li, 2011). Road vehicles accounted for 22.5 and 21.2% of total global nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions respectively in 2000 (Borken, et al, 2007; Takeshita, 2012). 50% of global CO, hydrocarbon, and NOx emissions from fossil fuel combustion come from gasoline- and diesel-powered engines (Ayub and Baig, 2013). The combustion of gasoline and other hydrocarbon fuels in automobiles, trucks and jets airplanes produce several primary pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxides and carbon monoxide (Goyal, 2006; Osuntogun and Koku, 2007; Taiwo et al, 2014). Air pollutants are increasing rapidly in many urban areas of the developing world such as Nigeria where environmental regulations are relatively lax or nonexistent (European Commission, 2001; Olajire et al, 2011; WHO, 2002)

Methods

Results

Conclusion