Spatial Assessment of Air Quality and Meteorological Parameters of the Surrounding Area of Active Dumpsite in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study assessed the air quality and meteorological parameters of the surrounding area of active dumpsites in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. The air quality and meteorological parameters were sampled based on the distance of 0m, 100m, 200m, 300m, 400, and 500m from the dumpsite using standard instrument. The WHO standard was compared with the values of the air quality parameters obtained in the study area. Similarly, meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction were recorded using weather tracker at the same distance. Readings were taken in the morning (7-9am), afternoon (12-2pm) and evening (4-6pm) once in a week for a year. Dust Track DRX aerosol monitor was used to measure PM2.5, PM10 and TSP while aeroqual multigas monitor 500 Series was used to measure NO2, SO2, CO, H2S, VOC, O3, and NH3. Descriptive statistics were used for the data analysis. Results showed that In Mile 3 Market dumpsite, it was observed that the wind speed was 0.98 m/s while temperature was 32.65 °C and relative humidity was 85.67%. However, findings revealed that the concentration of SO2 was higher in the dumpsite around Mile 3 Market and Rumuomasi than other dumpsites whereas the relative humidity was highest around Eneka/Igwuruta dumpsite. The study concluded that the air quality and meteorological parameters varied from place to place. Also, distance from the dumpsite was highly influential in determining the level of air quality in the study area.. It is thus recommended among others that environmental education about air quality pollution is required so that residents can understand the effects of landfill sites in the neighbourhood empirically.