Modeling of pollutants from artisanal refining of crude oil in Port Harcourt: A case study of Eagle Island

Abstract

Air sampling was carried out on the research area (Eagle Island) using both experimental and Gaussian dispersion model. A DM 106(particulate mass monitor) was applied to deduce the concentrations of suspended particulate matters (PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 10). Also, concentrations of pollutants (NO2, VOCs, SO2) were obtained using an Aerqual 300 device, while temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction were measured using Portable extech 45156 weather station and compass with experimental values obtained for two days (morning and night). Thus, these experimental concentration values obtained was plotted showing level of concentration at different locations (distances). In addition, Gaussian dispersion model was used to predict pollution concentration at various distances to ascertain the level of pollution within the research study area. Modeled results obtained was compared with experimental values to evaluate deviations, and a GIS based model (ARCGIS) was used to determine the general mapping of the research study area with dispersion of pollutants from source to distance up to 1000m depicted.