Meteorology and Air Quality Interactions: A Study of Selected Locations in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria faces significant challenges in managing air quality due to rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and increasing vehicular emissions. Meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and rainfall influence pollutant concentrations and transport patterns. Understanding the impact of meteorological conditions on air quality is essential for designing effective pollution control strategies and forecasting air quality trends in Nigeria. This research was carried out to determine the impact of meteorology on particulate matter concentration in certain locations in Nigeria. The cities considered for the study include Anyingba, Kogi state, Ibadan, Oyo state, Benin, Edo state, Lekki, Lagos state  and Kebi, Kebi state. The data covered a period of one year (April 2021 to April 2022).  Results show that, for Oyo state, there was a poor negative correlation between temperature and PM_2.5. For humidity, the correlation coefficient was high, though negative. This shows that temperature had very little impact on the concentration of particulate matter in ambient air of Oyo state while humidity had a strong negative impact on the concentration of particulate matter in ambient air of Oyo. For Kogi state, there was a poor positive correlation between temperature and particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀). For humidity, the correlation coefficient was high, though negative. This shows that temperature had very little impact on the concentration of particulate matter in ambient air of Kogi state while humidity had a strong negative impact on the concentration of particulate matter in ambient air of Kogi. For Edo state, there was a poor positive correlation between temperature and particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀). For humidity, the correlation coefficient was also low and positive. This shows that temperature and humidity had very little impact on the concentration of particulate matter in ambient air of Edo state. For Lagos state, there was a poor positive correlation between temperature and particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀). For humidity, the correlation coefficient was also low and positive. For Kebbi state, there was a poor positive correlation between temperature and particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀). For humidity, the correlation coefficient was also low and positive.