ASSESSMENT OF THE SEASONAL VARIATION OF AIR QUALITY MEASURES IN PETROLEUM TRAINING INSTITUTE, EFFURUN, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT This study assessed the seasonal variation of air quality in the Petroleum Training Institute and its environs. The study was conducted to evaluate the concentration of pollutants Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ammonia (NH3), Sulphur (iv) oxide (SO2), Hydrocarbon (HC), Ozone (O3), Suspended Particulate Matter2.5 (PM2.5), Suspended Particulate Matter10 (PM10) and the influence of season. The air quality was assessed using air monitoring devices (Digital Anemometer, Aeroqual 500 and BTMETER BT-5800D Meter) for both wet and dry season. Findings revealed that during the dry season, NO₂ concentrations were high when compared with the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) recommendation. There was a limit of 0.04–0.06ppm at the School Entrance Gate (0.05ppm), Student Mess (0.055ppm) and Staff quarters (0.04ppm) reflecting the influence of vehicular emissions and cooking activities. Suspended Particulate Matter concentrations ranged from 24.5 – 38.125 mg/m³ for SPM2.5 and 109.23 – 231.475mg/m³ for SPM10 (Dry season) and 9.23 – 17.95 mg/m³ for SPM2.5 and 15.1 – 28.35mg/m³ for SPM10 (Rain season) exceeding the WHO limit of 15mg/m³ in several areas. Also, NH₃ concentration ranged from 0.0–0.125ppm during the dry season and 0.0–0.08 ppm during the rainy season, below the WHO limit of 25 ppm, while SO₂ and HCH were 0.00 ppm. In conclusion, NO₂ and SPM pose localized air quality concerns, especially at the School Gate, Student Mess, and Staff Quarters. Statistical analysis revealed that the concentration of pollutants is a significantly different across the various assessment period and location and attributed to activities within the various locations