Meteorological Conditions in the Vicinity of Landfill and its Implications for Atmospheric Pollutant Stagnation in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined the meteorological conditions in the vicinity of landfill and its implications for atmospheric pollutant stagnation in Rumuolumeni. Air quality parameters such as; Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), Methane (CH₄), Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), Ammonia (NH₃) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were measured using an industrial scientific ITX multigas monitor. The weather parameters (wind speed and direction, temperature, and relative humidity) were collected using Kestel 400 version 3.00 handheld weather trackers. Result indicates that the mean temperature around the dumpsite was lower than that of the neighbouring community and decreases with increase in distance from the dumpsite. This implies that pollutants stagnation is expected at the vicinity of the landfill. The total mean of relative humidity at the landfill site was higher than the relative humidity at the residential area and there was no pattern derived between distance from the center of the dumpsite and relative humidity. The total mean wind speed at the landfill site was lower than that of the residential area, thus greater proportion of air pollutants from the dumpsite were deposited around the landfill. In this study, the concentrations of SO₂, CH₄, VOC, H₂S, and NH₃ were all higher at the landfill site and thus, this suggests that the landfill site at Rumuolumeni was a good source of these pollutants. Mean temporal value of temperature, relative humidity and wind speed was 29.7^oC, 65.3% and 0.24m/s respectively. It was also discovered that relative humidity correlated inversely with temperature. Furthermore, both temperature and relative humidity were significantly correlated with NO₂, NH₃ and H₂S. Wind speed had significant influence on the concentration of both VOC and SO₂. The study also showed that distance from the centre of the landfill site influences the concentrations of the air pollutants. Distance significantly influenced the concentrations of NO₂ and SO₂. Periodic assessment of the air quality arising from the landfill site in the residential area is advocated in the area.

Keywords: air quality, landfill, meteorological parameters, pollutants concentration, residential areas.