UNDERSTANDING POLLUTANT DISPERSION PATTERN IN RESPONSE TO DIURNAL ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS AROUND GAS POWER PLANTS STATIONS IN SOUTH-SOUTH REGION
Sr No:
Page No:
20-30
Language:
English
Authors:
Nwankwo, Promise Chibuzo, Kpang, MeeluBari Barinua Tsaro*, Dappa, Ibiewotogha Daddy
Received:
2025-07-17
Accepted:
2025-08-05
Published Date:
2025-08-08
Abstract:
Air pollution is a major environmental challenge plaguing our society in recent time
and raises global concern because of its devastating consequences on public health and the
environment. Despite availability of environmental policies and air quality standards, this issue
seems unabated as the sources of air pollution in the area increases almost on a daily basis
arising from different human activities including electricity generation from power plants. This
study examined pollutants dispersion pattern due to atmospheric changes around gas power
plants in south-south region. Air quality samples were obtained in-situ around the gas plant
stations at various calibrated distances, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000m in the morning, afternoon
and evening, each day at the sampled location over a period of 6 months (January to June), The
main gases measured at each of the sampled locations and at different times of the day include
Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen oxides (NOX), Particulate matter (PM), Carbon dioxide (CO2),
Methane (CH4), Carbon monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Ozone (O3) and Volatile
Organic Compound (VOC). Descriptive statistics (standard deviation and means) were used to
summarize the data measured. The student t test statistic was employed for the analysis. There
was a significant difference in the pollutant concentration at the different times of the day at
p<0.05 and the data showed that the early hours of the day had less pollutants concentration than at evening hours. There was also a significant difference in the pollutant concentration observed
in the region as compared with the WHO standards. The study recommended periodic
environmental auditing, reforestation, discouragement of deforestation within the vicinity of gas
plants and constant air quality monitoring.
Keywords:
Air quality, Diurnal, Dynamics, Dispersion, Atmospheric.