Contributions of gas flaring to a global air pollution hotspot : spatial and temporal variations, impacts and alleviation

Anejionu, Obinna and Whyatt, Duncan and Blackburn, George Alan and Price, Catheryn (2015) Contributions of gas flaring to a global air pollution hotspot : spatial and temporal variations, impacts and alleviation. Atmospheric Environment, 118. pp. 184-193. ISSN 1352-2310

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Abstract

Studies of environmental impacts of gas flaring in the Niger Delta are hindered by limited access to official flaring emissions records and a paucity of reliable ambient monitoring data. This study uses a combination of geospatial technologies and dispersion modelling techniques to evaluate air pollution impacts of gas flaring on human health and natural ecosystems in the region. Results indicate that gas flaring is a major contributor to air pollution across the region, with concentrations exceeding WHO limits in some locations over certain time periods. Due to the predominant south-westerly wind, concentrations are higher in some states with little flaring activity than in others with significant flaring activity. Twenty million people inhabit areas of high flare-associated air pollution, which include all of the main ecological zones of the region, indicating that flaring poses a substantial threat to human health and the environment. Model scenarios demonstrated that substantial reductions in pollution could be achieved by stopping flaring at a small number of the most active sites and by improving overall flaring efficiency.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Atmospheric Environment
Additional Information:
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Atmospheric Environment. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Atmospheric Environment, 118, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.08.006
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300
Subjects:
?? gas flaresremote sensingdispersion modellinghealth impactsenvironmental impactsniger deltaenvironmental science(all)atmospheric science ??
ID Code:
75279
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
15 Sep 2015 10:07
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
31 Dec 2023 00:35