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Effects of Automobile Emissions on the Distribution of Ambient Suspended International Journal of Recent Trends in Science And Technology, E-ISSN 2249-8109, Volume 2, Issue 2, 2012 pp 09-24 Distribution of Ambient Suspended Particulates and Volatile Organic Carbon in a Fast Developing Metropolis in the Niger Delta, Nigeria Emerhi, E.A1. Ideriah, T.J.K.*2 and Trinya, W.3 1Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. [email protected] 2Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. [email protected] 3Department of Forestry and Environment, Rivers State University of Science and Tech., Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. Corresponding Addresses: *[email protected], [email protected] Research Article Abstract: The concentrations of various sizes of originate from the same sources as the correlations suspended particulates and volatile organic carbons between PM2.5 and other fractions as well as between along selected roadsides and control sites in the fast the suspended particulates and VOC were very low developing city of Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta with decreasing mean r = 0.2174PM1, 0.2052 PM2.5, were determined at 0m and 50m from roads during the 0.0591 PM7, 0.0386 PM10 and 0.0209 TSP. The levels dry and rainy seasons. The parameters were of VOC call for serious environmental concern as their determined using portable hand held air monitors concentrations at the high density stations exceeded which include an Industrial Scientific Corporation ITX permissible limit recommended by the Federal Multi Gas Monitor and Aerosol Mass Monitor by Met Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria and One Instrument INC. The results showed highest United States. The levels of the pollutants were 3 concentrations of PM1 (0.004mg/m ), PM2.5 (0.19 influenced by traffic density, seasonal variations and 3 3 3 mg/m ), PM7 (0.715 mg/m ), PM10 (0.829 mg/m ), distances from major roads, therefore farming TSP (0.946 mg/m3) and VOC (4.2ppm) in the dry activities and consumption of exposed foodstuffs 3 3 season and PM1 (0.004mg/m ), PM2.5 (0.28 mg/m ), should be discouraged in the study areas. 3 3 PM7 (0.226 mg/m ), PM10 (0.109 mg/m ), TSP (0.129 Key words: Suspended Particulate Matter, Volatile mg/m3) and VOC (1.2ppm) in the rainy season. The Organic Carbon, Traffic density, Distance, Seasonal differences between the dry and rainy season values variation, Port Harcourt, Niger Delta were significant at P≥0.05. The concentrations of the pollutants measured at the high density areas were Introduction: generally higher than the concentrations measured at low density areas; however PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and VOC showed significant differences with traffic Air pollution is usually concentrated in density at P≥0.05. There was no significant difference densely populated metropolitan areas, between the mean concentrations measured at 0m and especially in developing countries where 50m. The results showed very strong relationship environmental regulations are relatively lax between PM10 and TSP in both season, PM7 and TSP in the dry season as well as PM1 with PM2.5 and PM7 or nonexistent. However, even populated in the rainy season implying similarity in sources of areas in developed countries attain the particulates. The pollutants in the study area do not Copyright © 2012, Statperson Publications, International Journal of Recent Trends in Science And Technology, E-ISSN 2249-8109, Volume 2, Issue 2, 2012 Emerhi, E.A. Ideriah, T.J.K. and Trinya, W. unhealthy levels of pollution. In the United States, unhealthy levels of pollution are Report [5] stated that mounting measured by the Environmental Protection population pressure and urbanization has Agency and independent researchers or resulted in ever increasing smaller farm agencies [1]. sizes and, in some cases, the complete Air pollution problems have been well clearing of farms for other uses. Small scale documented in Europe and the United States farmers are left with the option of raising with motor vehicles being the main home gardens where annual and perennial contributors [2]. In developing countries, vegetables are grown along with the automobile air pollution is mostly a problem common short gestation fruit crops such as in large cities with high level of traffic. In banana, paw-paw, pineapple, etc. Other fruit Nigeria, it has been reported that automobile crops such as mango, guava, avocado, etc exhaust accounts for about 80% of the air are also grown along roadsides and around pollution problems in urban areas, the the houses. It is not uncommon to find remaining 20% being contributed from people plucking and eating these unwashed industrial sources, the burning of refuse and raw fruits, or food hawkers displaying their forest as well as civil engineering activities stuff openly and unwrapped alongside heavy [3]. traffic roads which are apparently In developing countries, automobile air contaminated with air pollutants [5]. pollution is mostly a problem in large cities The primary air pollutants found in most with high level of traffic, such as Mexico urban areas are carbon monoxide, nitrogen City, Bangkok, and Lagos, Nigeria [2]. In oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrocarbons, and Nigeria, it has been reported that automobile particulate matter (both solid and liquid). exhaust accounts for about 80% of the air These pollutants are dispersed throughout pollution problems in urban areas, the the world's atmosphere in concentrations remaining 20% being contributed from high enough to gradually cause serious industrial sources, the burning of refuse and health problems [6]. forest as well as civil engineering activities [3]. According to [7] evidence exists that Air pollution could be serious. many air pollutants irritate eyes and cause According to [4], this is more so in Nigeria inflammation of the respiratory tract, because, in addition to increased vehicular suppress the immune system and increase and industrial activities in the country, most susceptibility to infection. In addition, households in both rural and urban areas use evidence continues to accumulate indicating lanterns and cook with kerosene stoves that exposure to air pollution during owing to irregular electricity supply and respiratory illnesses may result in people frequent scarcity of gas or liquefied developing chronic respiratory diseases such petroleum gas. as emphysema and bronchitis as they get Port- Harcourt being the capital and older. Other health problems that can result major city of Rivers State, with rapid from long-term exposure to toxic air urbanization and an associated growth in pollutants are cancer, chronic obstructive industry and vehicle use, an increase in the pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory emissions of sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, infections, and cardiovascular disease [7]. It nitrogen oxide, and other industrial and was also reported [7] that air pollutants can automobile emissions are bound to be also cause acidification of lakes and soils expected [5]. If these pollutants exceed the and impact on crop productivity, forest recommended levels, then there is no doubt growth, and biodiversity. The potential for that they will become harmful to higher crop losses in Asia has been indicated by a animals including humans through the soil, study in Pakistan where 40% of reduction in water and plants, since their existence is in rice yields was linked to the presence of close proximity. pollutants in the air [7]. International Journal of Recent Trends in Science And Technology, E-ISSN 2249-8109, Volume 2, Issue 2, 2011 Page 2 International Journal of Recent Trends in Science And Technology, E-ISSN 2249-8109, Volume 2, Issue 2, 2012 pp 09-24 Reports [11], [12] stated that several Suspended Particulate Matter is a mixture Hydrocarbons (HCs) and volatile organic of solid and liquid particles suspended in the carbons (VOCs) are mostly the result of the air. Suspended particulates are seen as dust, incomplete combustion of gasoline or by- smoke, and haze which can make breathing products of the petrochemical industry. They difficult, especially for people with chronic stated that the hydrocarbons include: respiratory problems [7]. It can be caused by methane (CH4), gasoline (C8H18) and diesel incomplete combustion of fuel [8]. In vapours, benzene (C6H6), formaldehyde addition to direct emissions of fine particles, (CH2O), butadiene (C4H6) and acetaldehyde automobiles release nitrogen oxides, (CH3CHO). Transportation accounts for 40 hydrocarbons, and sulphur dioxides, which to 50% of total emissions of HC/VOC. They generate additional fine particles as can be emitted by incomplete combustion secondary pollutant [9]. (70%), during refueling (10%) or by Fine Particles are composed of a wide evaporation from storage units (20%), range of materials arising from a variety of particularly gas tanks. For instance, a car sources including: combustion sources parked overnight during summer emits (mainly road traffic); secondary particles, approximately 4 grams of HC/VOC [11]. mainly sulphate and nitrate formed by Volatile organic compounds are also chemical reactions in the atmosphere, found in paints and solvents used to finish coarse particles, suspended soils and dusts automotive bodies [8]. They evaporate and (e.g. from the Sahara), sea salt, biological enter the air as vapour and as molecules particles and particles from construction resulting from the incomplete burning of work [10]. According to [11], Particulates fuels and wastes [7]. Volatile organic include various solids in suspension in the compounds react with NOx in the presence atmosphere such as smoke, soot, and dust of sunlight to form low-level ozone and also and result of the incomplete combustion of contribute to global warming [8]. fossil fuels, notably coal. They may also The report, [13], stated that volatile carry traces of other toxic substances like organic compounds are emitted from a hydrocarbon/volatile organic carbons. variety of sources, including motor vehicles, Transportation accounts for around 25% of chemical plants, refineries, factories, total emissions of particulates. Diesel consumer and commercial products, and engines are the main emitters.
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