Seasonal variation of meteorological factors on air parameters and the impact of gas flaring on air quality of some cities in Niger Delta (Ibeno and its environs)

Abstract

The impacts of gas flaring on meteorological factors at Ibeno, Eket, Onna, Esit Eket and Umudike - Nigeria were investigated by measuring air quality parameters. The results show that the mean concentration of air parameters value were below Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) National air quality standards with exception of carbon monoxide which exceeded the limit of 35 ppm in March at Ibeno. Concentration of air parameters at Umudike showed a similar trend to that of study locations at Eket, Ibeno, Esit Eket and Onna. Air quality parameters (Cl-, SPM and SO2) were found to have positive correlation with vapour pressure, humidity and rainfall values in the study areas. It was also established that a positive correlation exits between NO2, H2S, SO2, SPM, chloride, carbon monoxide and wind speed relative humidity, temperature and vapour pressure in the study locations. Chloride and nitrate also have a positive relationship with wind speed in some of the study locations.

Key words: Air parameters, gas flaring, meteorological factors.