Spatial–temporal variations in carbon dioxide levels in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests how global background levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) are increasing and this impacts environmental quality and human and ecological health. Data from less developed countries are sparse. We determined spatial and temporal variations in concentrations of CO₂ in selected locations in Ibadan, Nigeria with identifiable prominent outdoor sources. Activity driven areas in north and south-west areas were identified and marked with a global positioning system. Waste management practices and activities generating CO₂ were documented and described using a technician observation checklist. CO₂ levels were measured using a portable TELAIRE 7001 attached to HOBO U12 data loggers across seasons. Mean CO₂ levels were compared over seasons, i.e. rainy season months and the dry season months. While CO₂ levels recorded outdoors in study areas were comparable to available international data, routine monitoring is recommended to further characterize concurrent pollutants in fossil fuel combustion emissions with known deleterious health effects.

Keywords:

• carbon dioxide
• urban environment
• human activities
• Ibadan
• Nigeria

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all the research assistants for their support throughout the course of the study and to the Department of Environmental Health Sciences for their technical support. This project was completed during the MPH program of O. Ojelabi. The authors also thank S.W. Kelly for internal manuscript review. This work was supported by the Georgia State University International Strategic Initiative and the Atlantic Philanthropies-Bermuda/U.K. office, 2006–2008.