GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS OF PARTICULATE MATTERS

Air pollution arising from increasing vehicular activities has become a growing environmental concern in urban environments, including university campuses. Vehicular emissions contribute significantly to the release of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants, which may adversely affect human health and environmental quality. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of selected air pollutants around major car parks within the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ugbowo Campus, using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. A field-based experimental research design was employed. Air quality data for particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) and gaseous pollutants, including formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), were collected from seven selected car parks using portable air quality monitoring devices. Geographic coordinates of sampling locations were obtained using GPS devices and integrated into a GIS environment for spatial analysis. Spatial interpolation using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method was applied to generate pollution distribution maps, while descriptive statistical analyses and comparisons with World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards were performed. Results revealed spatial variations in pollutant concentrations across the study area. The Back Gate Car Park recorded the highest concentrations of PM₂.₅ (49 µg/m³) and PM₁₀ (55 µg/m³), while the Medical Complex and Hall 2 car parks exhibited comparatively lower concentrations. PM₂.₅ concentrations exceeded the WHO guideline value (15 µg/m³) at all sampling locations, whereas PM₁₀ slightly exceeded the guideline limit vi only at selected locations. Concentrations of HCHO, TVOCs, and CO₂ remained within acceptable limits. GIS analysis identified high-traffic areas as pollution hotspots, indicating that vehicular activities significantly influence air quality within the campus environment. The study therefore recommends improved traffic management, enforcement of no-idling policies, and increased vegetation cover to mitigate air pollution exposure on campus.