Regional Air Quality of the Nigeria’s Niger Delta

Precious N. Ede, David O. Edokpa^*

Institute of Geosciences and Space Technology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ojap.2015.41002                

Abstract

There is no systematic attempt to evaluate the air quality of any settlement in the Niger Delta region over a long period. Records of air quality data for this study were generated through secondary sources from impact assessment of facilities aimed at implementing air quality regulations on the environment. Suspended particulate matter in the region’s atmosphere ranged from 40 mg/m³ in Brass to 98 mg/m³ in Port Harcourt. Carbon monoxide concentrations were highest in Mbiama (191 mg/m³). Nitrogen dioxide concentration was highest in Bonny (187 mg/m³), and sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged from 19 mg/m³ in Ukwugba to 90 mg/m³ in Port Harcourt. Total hydrocarbon ranged from 78 mg/m³ in Odukpani to 192 mg/m³ in Nchia. Carbon dioxide ranged from 400 ppm in Buguma to 450 ppm in Port Harcourt. The most abundant of the VOCs is benzene and toluene. Ethylene was detected only in one station at concentration of 0.1 mg/m³ which was negligible. The most abundant of the metals was zinc, which was present at above 2 mg/m³ in most of the study settlements. In remote settlements like Buguma and Emuoha, some of the metals were not detected at all. In some instances, short-term limits for the pollutants exceeded WHO standards. The need for stakeholders in the region to articulate initiatives that support quality environmental practices was emphasized as laws pertaining to air quality regulations which are weak and less enforceable.

Keywords

Niger Delta, Regional Air Quality, Emissions from Petroleum

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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