IJREES Vol17 P2 June20 Antai
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June. 2020. Vol. 17, No.1 ISSN 2311-2484 International Journal of Research In Earth & Environmental Sciences © 2013-2020 IJREES & K.A.J. All rights reserved www.ijsk.org/ijrees POLLUTANT STANDARD INDEX AND AIR QUALITY INDEX OF THE DRY SEASON CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS OF PORT HARCOURT AND ITS ENVIRONS, NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA Antai, Raphael E.1; Osuji, Leo C. 2; Obafemi, Andrew A.3 and Onojake, Mudiaga C.4 1 Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 1 Inter - Environments Limited, Rumudara, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 2,4 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 3 Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Corresponding Author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Pollutant standards indices (PSI) were computed for each study area to indicate the concentration level of each pollutant in the study area, while air quality indices were computed to show the degree of air pollution effects on human health in Port Harcourt and its environs. The Air Quality index (AQI) revealed the health effects on people in the respective study area may be experienced. Results of AQI indicated that Eleme, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt are most polluted areas compared to Oyigbo, Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) and Etche in the dry season. Keywords: Pollutant Standard Index, Air Quality Index, Dry Season, Criteria Air Pollutants. 1. INTRODUCTION Generally, the study revealed that Eleme, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt areas are exposed to high pollutants concentrations, especially sulphur dioxide, methane, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which may adversely affect public health or aggravate the health conditions of the exposed population (Chelana, et al., 2002; Longhurst, 2005; Efe, 2006; and Antai et al., 2016). Potential health issues likely to prevail in these areas may include asphyxiation, narcosis (that is depression of the central nervous system), cardiac arrest and aspiration. Cases of chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, and cancer of the bronchus mucous membrane caused by air pollutants may be prevalent in these areas. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants may result in increased cases of Asthma, and respiratory diseases. Long-term health effects due to continuous daily exposure of the general public are therefore envisaged. This study was designed specifically to assess air quality of Port Harcourt and its environs and develop its air quality index model in the dry season (US EPA 2006). This study has created Port Harcourt and its environs air quality index foundation for future reference of the study area. Port Harcourt metropolis is located between latitudes 4035’ and 5030’ north and between longitudes 6054’ and 7008’ east. It covers an estimated area of 1811.6 square kilometers and is the capital of Rivers State. Port Harcourt was established in 1914 by the British colonial administration under Lord Lugard to meet the pressing economic needs of Europe. The metropolis lies at the heart of the Niger Delta, which is one of the world’s richest wetlands, and is bounded on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north by Imo and Abia States to the east by Akwa Ibom State and to the west by Bayelsa and Delta States. Some of the well-known residential areas in Port Harcourt and its environs include: Port Harcourt Town, Obio/Akpor, Eleme, Oyigbo, Ikwerre and Etche Local Government Areas (Overview of Rivers State - Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group, 2005).The main city of Port Harcourt lies within the Port Harcourt Local Government Area. The city consists of the former European quarters, now called Old Government Reservation Area (GRA) and new layout areas. Port Harcourt, which is ranked as the fifth largest city in Nigeria, is made up of the city itself, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and part of Eleme Local Government Area. It has the second largest sea port in Nigeria. The metropolis is the hub of industrial, oil and gas, commercial, administrative and other activities in Rivers State. The city is often referred to as the Treasure Base of the Nation. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sample and Sampling Techniques The study primarily includes selection of sampling sites, field assessment/measurement, data reading, data storage, statistical data analysis, data interpretation and report writing. Hand-held in-situ portable meters were used and 5 June. 2020. Vol. 17, No.1 ISSN 2311-2484 International Journal of Research In Earth & Environmental Sciences © 2013-2020 IJREES & K.A.J. All rights reserved www.ijsk.org/ijrees application of standard ambient air quality assessment procedures were strictly adhered to. Field data measurement was done in-situ with the calibrated portable meters in accordance with the recommended standard procedures for environmental data collection in Nigeria FEPA, (1991), FMEnv, (2002), DPR, (2002) and WHO (2005) procedures for population density, topography, industrial cluster, and heavy traffic for site selection studies. The field data assessment of the air quality and meteorological parameters were sampled on hourly basis, three hours per sampling point (morning, afternoon and evening as peak, off peak and peak periods, respectively) for 17 days in the dry season. Series of different sensors of the in-situ portable meters were used for different air quality pollutants sampling with height of about two meters in the prevailing wind direction and a short exposure limit of three minutes per each air pollutant reading. The air pollutants were logged in and the readings were recorded at stability. Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and Air Quality Index (AQI) A type of air quality index known as Pollutant Standards Index was used to determine the level of pollutants in air. This was computed using the following equation and air quality index table (equation 1). I i, j1 I i, j I i X i X i, j I i, j X i, j1 X i, j (1) for Xi,j X i X i, j1 th Where Xi = Observed concentration for the i pollutant th th Iij = PSI value for the i pollutant and the j breakpoint as given in the table th th Iij+1 = PSI value for the i pollutant and the (j+1) breakpoint as given in the table th th Xij = Concentration for the i pollutant and j breakpoint as given in the table th th Xij+1 = Concentration for the i pollutant and (j+1) breakpoint as given in the table Concentrations of pollutants were expressed in terms of low, moderate, high and critical based on the computed values of EF and PSI (CPCB, 2006). Figure 1: Port Harcourt and its Environs showing Sampling Points for the Study 6 June. 2020. Vol. 17, No.1 ISSN 2311-2484 International Journal of Research In Earth & Environmental Sciences © 2013-2020 IJREES & K.A.J. All rights reserved www.ijsk.org/ijrees Table 1: Sampling Points Key, Description of Sampling Points, Coordinates and Frequency of Monitoring. Sampling Description of Sampling Points Coordinates Frequency of Monitoring/Hourly Point Code: SP 1 Onne Roundabout by FLT and FOT Signboard N 040 43’. 207’’ E 0070 09’. 478’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 2 Notore Road by Notore Garden Camp, Onne N 040 44’. 147’’ E007o 08’. 526’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 3 Onne (Trailer park) Junction by East-West Road N 040 45’. 510’’ E 0070 09’. 516’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 4 Port Harcourt Refinery Junction by East-West Road, Alesa N 040 47’. 066’’ E 0070 07’. 001’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 5 Agbonchia by Zina Motel Junction Eleme N 04047’. 867’’ E 0070 07’. 358’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 6 Eleme Petrochemical (Ndorama gate) Aleto, Eleme N 040 48’. 744’’ E 0070 05’. 842’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 7 Sandfilled Roundabout, Akpajo N 040 49’. 402’’ E 0070 05’. 276’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 8 Okoloma Afam by Afam Power Plant N 040 51’. 058’’ E 0070 15’. 088’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 9 Izuoma Asa by Dominican College N 040 51’. 458’’ E 0070 10’. 717’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 10 Oyigbo by Eke Oyigbo Market N 040 52’. 561’’ E 0070 08’. 889’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 11 Oyigbo Junction by Port Harcourt-Aba Road N 040 52’. 852’’ E 0070 07’. 959’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 12 Shell Flow Station/Location Junction, Umuebulu 4, Etche N 040 53’. 6107’’ E 0070 07’. 302’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 13 Shell Gas Plant, Umuebulu 4, Etche N 040 53’. 674’’ E 0070 07’ 129’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening Table 1: Sampling Points Key, Description of Sampling Points, Coordinate and Frequency of Monitoring Cont’d. 7 June. 2020. Vol. 17, No.1 ISSN 2311-2484 International Journal of Research In Earth & Environmental Sciences © 2013-2020 IJREES & K.A.J. All rights reserved www.ijsk.org/ijrees Sampling Description of Sampling Points Coordinates Frequency of Monitoring/Hourly Point Code: SP 14 Igbo Etche Junction-Umasikpo, Igbo Etche N 040 56’. 788’’ E 0070 04’. 94’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 15 Eleme Junction by Oilmill Bus Stop N 040 51’. 267’’ E 0070 03’. 843’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 16 Rumukrushi Bus Stop by Rumukrushi Park N 040 50’. 992’’ E 0070 03’. 201’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 17 Rumukrushi Tank by East-West Road N 040 51’. 859’’ E 0070 03’. 364’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP18 Eneka Roundabout, Rumu-olukwu, Eneka N 040 53’. 756’’ E 0070 02’. 392’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 19 Artillery Junction by Okporo Road N 040 50’. 612’’ E 0070 02’. 298’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 20 Rumuobiakani Junction by Oginigba/Old Aba Road N040 50’. 208’’ E 0070 02’. 066’’ Morning, Afternoon and Evening SP 21 Rumuomasi in-between Aba Road Rumuomasi Junction N 040 50’.