Examining the Relationships between Properties of Atmospheric Precipitates (Rain and Dew Water) and Emitted GHGs across the Different Land Use Types in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

In this study, the researchers examine the relationships between contaminants found in rain and dew water and the greenhouse gases emitted in Port Harcourt. The quasi experimental research design was used to carry out the study. Primary data of rain and dew water, and GHGs amounts were collected directly by the researcher at designated sampling points in Port Harcourt metropolis for a period of one year. The Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient was used for data analysis in the environment of the IBM/statistical package for the social sciences (IBM/SPSS). Results obtained showed that GHGs amounts across the various land uses were higher than World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for all the gases examined. Alsot the land uses that ought to generate the GHGs, such as the residential and urban land-uses had lower emission rates than thick vegetation and fresh water land uses. The correlation coefficients between the gases and the atmospheric precipitates show that, there are positive relationship between gas emission and contaminates in rain and dew water at P<0.05. Also, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), had inverse relationships in some instances, revealing the influence of other atmospheric controls such as wind speed and direction. Following these findings, the study recommends that, locals abstain from rainfall, boil harvested rainwater before use for domestic purposes, and laws be both enacted and enforced to reduce pollution rates in the metropolis and adjoining areas.