ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELING OF PM10 AND SO2 FROM OPEN BURNING OF SOLID WASTE IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Rapid urbanization and inadequate municipal waste management in sub-Saharan Africa have exacerbated severe environmental and public health crises, prominently characterized by the operation of uncontrolled open dumpsites. In Ibadan, Nigeria, major disposal facilities such as La Awotan dumpsite rely heavily on open dumping and unmitigated burning. This present study aimed to examine the atmospheric emissions generated from the open burning of solid waste across these four sites from 2018 to 2024 using dispersion modelling. The criteria air pollutants (CAPs) such as particulate matter (PM) and Sulfur dioxide (SO2) were determined using the emission factor approach. The ground level concentrations of each of the CAPs within a 15 km radius were predicted using the AERMOD software. The results showed that the emission inventory for PM and SO2is in the range of 2553.91–7654.10 and 66.10-198.11 tons per annum between 2018 and 2024, respectively. The maximum 1, 8, 24 h, and annual concentrations were 268475µgm−3, 45065µgm−3, 15155µgm−3 and 614µgm−3 for PM and 6049µgm−3 1166µgm−392µgm−3 and 15.9µgm−3 for SO2, respectively. Research indicates that open burning of solid waste emits hazardous gasses and has negative impacts on nearby communities. These findings will serve as a baseline for environmental protection agencies.