scholarly journals Effects of Some Meteorological Parameters on Visibility in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Author(s):  
C. O. Nwokocha ◽  
C. U. Okujagu ◽  
P. I. Enyinna

Effects of meteorological parameters of relative humidity and wind direction on visibility in the Niger Delta, Nigeria (4.15°N-7.17°N, 5.05°E-8.68°E) for a period of 31 years (1981-2012) have been investigated. The data on visibility, relative humidity and wind direction were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) respectively. The visibility and meteorological data were analyzed to study the temporal variation of atmospheric visibility and its relationship with meteorological parameters in the region. The analysis was done using statistical techniques and the results show that cities in the Eastward (Calaber, Uyo and Port Harcourt) have more inverse correlation between Relative humidity and visibility while Westward cities (Owerri, Warri and Akure) are more directly correlated to visibility. Again it shows that visibility is more correlated with relative humidity in places of high hydrocarbon activities like Port Harcourt while it is better correlated with wind direction in places with less hydrocarbon activities like Akure.

Author(s):  
C. O. Nwokocha ◽  
C. U. Okujagu ◽  
P. I. Enyinna

The study of visibility in the Niger Delta region is necessary because it reflects the atmospheric changes caused by economic expansion in Nigeria. Cities in the Niger Delta (especially Port Harcourt) are the most polluted cities in the country and therefore visibility degradation has become one of the major environmental challenge in Nigeria. Analysis of a 31 years (1981-2012) monthly mean horizontal visibility data and monthly mean datasets of meteorological parameters such as relative humidity and wind direction obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) for Calabar, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Warri and Akure was done using statistical techniques. A correlation analysis was done and the annual visibility variability indexes from (NIMET) shows significant correlation with the (NCEP) datasets for R/humidity at r=0.1334 and Wind direction at r=0.1210 respectively at 90% confidence level from t-test. This study concluded that the relationship of the atmospheric visibility and meteorological factors are closely related. The results showed that visibility is more correlated with Relative humidity in places with high hydrocarbon activities leading to excess aerosol loading like Port Harcourt while it is better correlated with wind direction in places with less hydrocarbon activities like Calabar and Akure. The results of this study can assist policy makers and operators in establishing positive strategies to improve the air quality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Chukwuemeka Nwosisi ◽  
Olusegun Oguntoke ◽  
Adewale Matthew Taiwo

Abstract Background Gas flaring in the Niger Delta releases particles which are dispersed over a wide area and have impacts on the environment and human health. The study aimed at assessing the extent of dispersion of PM10 emitted from gas flares in flow stations. Eight selected flow stations in Rivers and Bayelsa states were investigated. The concentrations of PM10 emitted from the flare stacks were monitored 60 m away from the flare stack using a hand-held Met One AEROCET 531 combined Mass Profiler and Particle Counter. Meteorological parameters such as wind speed, ambient temperature and relative humidity were monitored during the sampling campaign. PM10 and meteorological data were analysed for simple and descriptive statistics using SPSS for Windows (version 21.0). Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT) was adopted to predict the dispersion of PM10 from the flow stations. Results Results revealed the range concentrations of PM10 from the flow stations (FS 1–8) as 19.9 µg/m3 at FS 1 to 55.4 µg/m3 at FS 8. The maximum concentration of PM10 at FS 8 was higher than the World Health organisation limit of 50 µg/m3. The dispersion of PM10 emitted from FS 1, 4 and 7 in April 2017, had a fitting spread over Port Harcourt City. Conclusions The modeling results revealed dispersion of PM10 from the flow stations to 14 states in Nigeria. This suggests possible detrimental health and environmental effects of PM10 on residents in the identified states.


2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 1790-1802 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Duda ◽  
Patrick Minnis

Abstract A probabilistic forecast to accurately predict contrail formation over the conterminous United States (CONUS) is created by using meteorological data based on hourly meteorological analyses from the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) and the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) combined with surface and satellite observations of contrails. Two groups of logistic models were created. The first group of models (SURFACE models) is based on surface-based contrail observations supplemented with satellite observations of contrail occurrence. The most common predictors selected for the SURFACE models tend to be related to temperature, relative humidity, and wind direction when the models are generated using RUC or ARPS analyses. The second group of models (OUTBREAK models) is derived from a selected subgroup of satellite-based observations of widespread persistent contrails. The most common predictors for the OUTBREAK models tend to be wind direction, atmospheric lapse rate, temperature, relative humidity, and the product of temperature and humidity.


2008 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 811-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. C. Nduka ◽  
O. E. Orisakwe ◽  
L. O. Ezenweke ◽  
T. E. Ezenwa ◽  
M. N. Chendo ◽  
...  

Rain samples were collected from Warri and Port Harcourt, two major oil-producing cities of Nigeria in April-June, July-August, and September-October 2005 and 2006. Awka, a “non-oil” city was used as control. Samples were collected from three points, using clean plastic basins fastened to a table, 2 m above ground level and 115 m away from tall buildings and trees. Water samples were filtered and acidity determined using digital pHmeter. The results show that the rain samples were acidic. The pH values for the 2 years under study show that the rainfall in Warri was more acidic than that of Port Harcourt. Oil exploration and other anthropogenic sources may be responsible for the acid rain in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2005-2011
Author(s):  
Marin Rusanescu ◽  
Carmen Otilia Rusanescu ◽  
Gigel Paraschiv

In this paper we analyze the correlation between meteorological parameters (wind speed and direction, relative humidity, air temperature) and atmospheric pollutants in Bucharest during the cold period 26.02.2018-02.03.2018, which was based on the monitoring of the concentrations of nitrogen oxides, NO2, O3 and SO2 sulfur dioxide within 24 h and the occurrence of exceedances above the prescribed limit. It was found based on the results obtained that the wind direction influences not only the concentrations of pollutants but also the correlation between the pollutants. Traffic pollutants were at the highest concentration when the wind speed was low. We have found that the highest average concentration for NO2, NOx, NO, O3 occurred at 90% indicative humidity for vertical mixing of strong pollutants. Sulfur dioxide did not record exceeding over the limit standard in the analyzed period.


Author(s):  
Ibekwe Matilda Uju

Aim: This study is to determine the prevalence, causes, types and patterns of hearing impairment seen in a tertiary hospital in the Niger delta region. Study Design: A hospital based descriptive study of all patients with complaints of hearing impairment seen at the ear nose and throat clinic of the university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital within the period of January 2015 to December 2019. Results: Bilateral affectation was commoner among those that have hearing impairment n = 366(65.2%) 91.2% while n = 54(8.8%) was found to have normal hearing. Majority of the ears had profound degree of hearing loss n= 313 (25.4%) with the highest number of it found in the right ear 27.0% however, there is no statistical significance between the side of the ear affected and the degree of hearing loss. Conclusion: The young adults are the most affected; age 30-39 years with bilateral affectation and profound degree of hearing loss. Infective conditions such as CSOM are still very predominant in the aetiology of hearing loss in our environment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Udeabor ◽  
B. O. Akinbami ◽  
K. S. Yarhere ◽  
A. E. Obiechina

Objective. To retrospectively analyze the pattern of presentation and modalities of management of maxillofacial fractures in our center. Methods. The medical records of all the patients who sustained maxillofacial fractures presenting to a major referral hospital in Niger Delta region of Nigeria were retrieved and reviewed. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS statistical package. Results. Eighty-six patients presented with 135 maxillofacial fractures during the period under review. A male to female ration of 3 : 1 was recorded and patients in their third decade of life were mostly affected (46.5%). Road traffic accident (RTA) was the commonest etiology accounting for 46.5% whereas assault was second (19.8%). The mandible was the most frequently fractured bone (59.3%) followed by the zygoma (18.5%). The main stay of treatment was closed reduction with IMF (40.4%). Conclusion. Treatment modalities for maxillofacial fractures in our center have not witnessed any significant changes. Effort should be made to ensure the availability of miniplates to ensure adequate treatment for all categories of our patients.


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