EVALUATION OF AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN ABUJA CITY, A CASE STUDY OF 2019 TO 2023.

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates air quality in Abuja city, Nigeria, focusing on nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide(CO) and atmospheric particulate matter(PM2.5) concentrations for 5 years using geographic information system. The data was remotely gotten using google earth engine and was processed by ArcGIS 10.5 pro. The study area was divided into three categories: low, moderate, and high CO2, NO2 and PM2.5 concentration zones. The analysis involved examining the percentage distribution of these zones across the five years. The mean concentrations of CO for 2019 to 2023 were 0.046570154 mol/m2 , 0.0478104 mol/m2 , 0.046765018 mol/m2 , 0.045991921 mol/m2 and 0.044324317 mol/m2 respectively. The mean concentrations of NO2 for 2019 to 2023 were 0.000066911 mol/m2 , 0.000067885 mol/m2 , 0.000076767 mol/m2 , 0.000075797 mol/m2 and 0.000076115 mol/m2 respectively. The mean concentrations of PM2.5 for 2019 to 2023 were -0.603206101 mol/m2 , -0.707684885 mol/m2 , - 0.418337199 mol/m2 , 0.273382711 mol/m2 , and 0.198333086 mol/m2 respectively. The analyzed data results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in nitrogen di oxide and carbon monoxide concentration, however there was a significant difference(p<0.001) between atmospheric particulates concentration over the five year period. Based on the results above it is recommended that air quality monitoring agencies and institutions such as NIMET and the federal and state ministries of environment which are the enforcement and regulatory agencies, reevaluate current regulations on air quality monitoring and develop more robust monitoring mechanisms. The health impact associated with exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulates should be evaluated in order to snsure proper preventive and control measures.