Evaluation of the concentration and distribution of selected air pollutants in some towns in Ukwuani LGA of Delta State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Abstract The research investigated the spatial distribution and concentrations of air pollutants, across six locations in Delta State, Nigeria which include two roadsides (Utagba-Unor junction, Obiaruku, and Umutu junction along Agbor-Abraka Road), two residential areas (Ebedei-Umueziogoli Quarters and Ebedei-Adonishaka), Ebedei-Unor near gas plant and a control site near the Ethiope River at Adonishaka. The ambient air quality of the locations were measured with Aeroqual Gas Monitoring Kit (ASTM D3249-95, 2011) with sampling done in the morning, afternoon, and evening period over seven consecutive days during the core of dry and wet seasons. The measured concentrations ranged obtained were CO (0.5 ± 0.07–3.29 ± 0.31 µg/m³), CO₂ (2.00 ± 0.04–7.39 ± 0.18 µg/m³), H₂S (0.00 ± 0.00–0.77 ± 0.12 µg/m³), NO (0.00 ± 0.00– 0.83 ± 0.06 µg/m³), NO₂ (0.14 ± 0.05–4.04 ± 0.35 µg/m³), and CH₄ (0.40 ± 0.06–4.33 ± 0.35 µg/m³). CO was observed to have the highest concentrations at Ebedei-Adonishaka, while Ebedei-Unor recorded the highest concentration of CO₂, H₂S, NO, NO₂, and CH₄. Seasonal variations was observed with more pollutant during the dry season compared to wet season.