Abstract

This study analyzes the varying spatial relationship between air pollutants [Carbon monoxide (CO), Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and Particulate Matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀)] in Kaduna metropolis. This was aimed at having more insight into be characteristics of air pollutants in the study area, which was geared towards efficient environmental management of the city. Validated portable pollutant monitors (MSA Altair 5x Gas Detector^a, CO₂ meter Model AZ-0002-DL and CW-HAT200 Particulate Counter) were utilized for data collection, on the concentration of air pollutants CO and SO₂; CO₂ and particulate matters (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) respectively. Pearson correlation and Geographical Weighed Regression (GWR) were used for data analysis, whereas, maps and tables were utilized for data presentation. The findings revealed that a non - perfect positive linear relationship exists between the air pollutants. The GWR model revealed that the distribution of the local R² values vary spatially across Kaduna Metropolis, indicating that there is a spatially varying relationship between the air pollutants. Higher R² values were mostly in the central and southern part of the metropolis except for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in the Northern part of the metropolis. The finding further reveals that CO has the strongest association with SO₂, SO₂ has the strongest association with PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, CO₂ with SO₂, PM₁₀ has the highest association with PM_2.5, likewise PM_2.5 with PM₁₀. The use of GWR to establish the existence of locally varying relationship between the air pollutants was successful. Hence, this study recommends the use of GWR to model air pollutants in cities with limited monitoring capability.

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