Modelling of Pollutants Dispersion from Open Burning of Solid Waste Using AERMOD

Abstract

This study evaluates the air quality impact of open burning of solid waste activities in Ilorin, Nigeria. An emission inventory was carried out to quantify the emitted CO, NOx and SOx from 2016- 2020 into the study area. Their ground level concentrations were computed with the Industrial Source Complex – American Meteorological Society (AMS) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulatory Model (AERMOD) dispersion model and compared with standards to determine their impacts on ambient air quality. The average hourly, daily and annual concentrations were 25,267 µg/m3, 4,609 µg/m3, 447 µg/m3 for carbon monoxide (CO); 4,700 µg/m3, 730 µg/m3, 130 µg/m3 for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 954 µg/m3, 144 µg/m3, 24 µg/m3 for oxides of sulphur (SOx) respectively. The hourly air quality for CO were within the World Bank standard for all the receptor communities except at Abe-Emi with 2.17 folds, while the daily air quality was within the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnV) limit. However, the 1-h, 24-h and annual air quality for NOx exceeded the FMEnV and World Bank standard for all the receptor communities. Similarly, the hourly and daily air quality for SOx exceeded the FMEnV and World Bank standard for all the receptor communities.

Keywords

• Air quality
• Open burning
• Solid waste
• AERMOD
• Dispersion modelling
• Pollutants