Measuring Traffic Induced Air Pollution in Onne Port’s Environment

Maritime shipping has been a major facilitator of economic prosperity throughout the world and it is likely to grow to meet continued and growing transport needs in both developed and developing countries. However, global emissions from maritime shipping have increased considerably, causing depletion of the ozone layer and most importantly posing threat to lives and coastal environment through air pollution. This study investigated the constituents of ambient air in Onne port’s environment in Rivers State of Nigeria. Six air pollutants (O3 CO, NO2, PM2.5, PM10, and SO2) were critically monitored with hand-held mobile Aeroqual gas monitors, series 500, at strategic locations within the port’s environment and Eleme Junction (the control). We found that mean concentrations (μg·m3) of the following pollutants: O3 (71.776 ± 0.726), CO, (19.145 ± 0.275) NO2 (28.145 ± 0.965) and SO2 (36.913 ± 0.378) were significantly high. The particulates (PM10, PM2.5) also showed higher mean concentrations of 48.400 ± 0.197 and 29.676 ± 0.352 respectively. The observed values were found to be significantly higher than those observed in the control group and also exceeded the safe permissible limits for gaseous pollutants when compared to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards. This exceedance raises questions on Nigeria’s commitments to implementations of (Annex VI) International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution (MARPOL 73/78) from Ships. Again, the findings portend ecological hazards to residents, flora and fauna as elevated levels of these gaseous pollutants have been associated with chronic respiratory diseases. The policy implications of the findings were discussed.