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ABSTRACT
Air pollution poses significant risks to human health and the environment, with pollutants like NO2 and PM2.5 impacting air quality. Understanding the sources and distribution of these pollutants is crucial for assessing their effects on ecosystems and public health. Remote sensing data, including satellite imagery analysis using Google Earth Engine, was utilized to assess pollutant concentrations in the study area. Descriptive statistics were conducted on NO2 and PM2.5 data to observe changes in concentrations over time and space. The study revealed fluctuations in NO2 and PM2.5 levels, with seasonal variations observed in pollutant concentrations in Gboko and environs from 2021 to 2023. Result shows that mean values for NO2 ranged from 57.614 to 58.571 µmol/m2 with the highest mean value of 65.47 µmol/m2 recorded in 2021 and the lowest mean value of 51.976 µmol/m2 in 2023. These high concentrations observed could lead to the development of asthma and other respiratory infections. The mean values of PM2.5 ranged between -0.4647 and 0.2084. Values recorded in both halves of year 2021 and the second half of year 2022 and 2023 were negative implying the presence of non-UV absorbing air pollutants such as sulphate aerosols. Positive values recorded within the first half of 2022 and 2023 suggest the presence of absorbing air pollutants. In order to ensure early detection of a decrease or increase in the concentration of atmospheric pollutants, constant monitoring of air quality and atmospheric pollutants, implementation of policies regarding air pollution, spatial data collection, air quality modelling, identification of hotspots, and source distribution through the use of geographic information systems (GIS) are all necessary. In this recommendation, it is suggested that cleaner technologies be promoted, such as the utilization of low-emission vehicles, particularly for mining, renewable energy sources, energy-efficient processes, public awareness and education on the impact of atmospheric pollutants, and the human contributions to the increasing production of atmospheric pollutants.
