Air Quality Measures In Three Local Government Areas of Imo State, Nigeria Using Chemometric Models.

Geographic Information System (GIS) and Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) Models were used to study air quality in parts of Imo State. Primary data were obtained by conducting relevant analysis using standard instrumental methods on open-air rainwater samples collected in the dry and the rainy seasons for two consecutive years. GIS showed that the pollutants were present throughout the year. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) of MATLAB 2015 was used to represent data with regards to pollutant concentration in all the areas considered. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Multi-Comparative plots showed that all the Criteria pollutants except CO were affected by seasonal change. All the pollutants exceeded the WHO, NAAQS and FEPA Standards with the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicating poor air quality with grade E for all the areas studied. Hot spot locations appeared more for SO ₂ , PM ₁₀ , in the dry seasons while the average concentration of CO showed the same trend with NO ₂ with higher levels during the rainy seasons. Therefore, the findings from this research provides knowledge of patterns and trends of air pollutant dispersion and other reliable information that could be useful to the Government, relevant pollution regulatory agencies and the general public for better proactive decision making and pollution control in Imo State.