Seasonal Variation of Air Pollutants Concentration around Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

With the rapid population growth and industrialization across developing countries in recent times, the release of air pollutants into the environment has drawn global attention to the health-related impact on humans. The study examined the seasonal variation of air pollutants concentration around Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Using areas such as Airport Road (AR), Rumuokoro (Rum) and Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), the air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM1, PM10, PM2.5), Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), Methane (CH4), Ammonia (NH3), Ozone (O3), Carbon IV oxide (CO2) were assessed during wet season (June) and dry season (December) using Aeroqual 500 Multi-Gas Analyzer, with up-to-date calibration. At Rum, the NO2 (0.006ppm and 0.122pm) and SO2 (0.03ppm and 0.05ppm) were within the WHO-AQG, while the CO concentrations of 18ppm and 6ppm were above the WHO-AQG. H2S was undetected at all locations, and CH4 concentration was higher at AR (58ppm and 65ppm) than at other locations, while the detected O3 across the locations and seasons (AR-0.33ppm and 0.36ppm, Rum-0.48ppm and 0.31ppm, NPA-0.18ppm and 0.11ppm) are within the WHO-AQG. Particulate maters-PM1, PM10, and PM2.5 were detected across the locations and seasons, while the highest concentration was reported at Rum (21ppm and 29ppm, 55ppm and 65ppm, and 41ppm). The variation in air pollutants across the studied locations suggests the influence of similar sources or patterns based on anthropogenic actions or microclimate parameters. There is a need to develop monitoring mechanisms, regulations and enforcement measures for air quality management practices.