Assessment of Air Quality along Urbanization Gradient in Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

The study assessed air quality along urbanization gradient in Apo District of FCT of Nigeria. Experimental research was employed and it enabled air quality data (NO, NO2, SO2, O3, CO and PM10) to be quantitatively gathered in the field using standard methods and equipment. Traffic volume along selected land uses in the three locations was obtained through traffic count approach. Data obtained was analyzed using averages, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, cluster analysis and Factor Analysis (FA). Result obtained showed that the levels of PM, SO2, O3 and NO2 in the three locations were above FEPA threshold; only the level of CO was within FEPA recommended threshold. The core zone recorded the highest atmospheric pollutants, followed by the transitional zone and then the peripheral zone. Level of air pollutants does not vary significantly along urbanization gradient in APO (p>0.05). There was a considerable variation in the concentration of pollutants at different time of the day with high levels found in the evening followed by afternoon exception of NO whose concentration was high in the evening and morning. Across the three locations, roadside generated the highest amount of pollutants followed by motor parks while the residential area generated the lowest. In addition, Pearson’s correlation revealed positive association between volume of traffic and level of SO2 and CO; as well as a negative association between bike and SO2 and CO. The study recommended that more roads with connectivity should be constructed in Apo to reduce the traffic density along the only transport corridor that links other major areas in the FCT; and recommends regular monitoring of atmospheric pollutants.

Keywords: Urbanization gradient, Air pollutants, anthropogenic activities, Apo.

Abbreviations: Nomenclatures, Nitrogen oxide (NO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2),Ozone (O3),Carbon monoxide (CO), Promethium (PM),Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).