Understanding the Chemical Evolution of the Atmosphere and Its Environmental Impact in Nigeria

Abstract

Air pollution is a critical environmental challenge threatening ecological integrity, human health, and sustainable development in Nigeria. With over 208 million inhabitants, the country faces rising atmospheric burdens of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), and sulphate aerosols (SO 4 ), largely driven by industrialization, fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and open waste burning. These pollutants not only intensify climate change through greenhouse gas accumulation but also disrupt atmospheric chemistry, degrade ecosystems, and alter meteorological patterns. Despite the urgency, Nigeria’s air quality monitoring infrastructure remains inadequate, leaving long-term atmospheric transformations poorly understood. This study investigates the chemical evolution of Nigeria’s atmosphere from 2004 to 2024 using satellite remote sensing data from NASA’s Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). Results reveal a significant decline in CO and SO 2 concentrations, suggesting progress in emission control, while CO 2 and CH 4 levels exhibited a steady increase, reflecting fossil fuel dependence, urbanization, geopolitics, and agricultural pressures. Conversely, NO 2 and SO 4 displayed fluctuating but inconclusive trends, pointing to complex emission dynamics and atmospheric processes. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between pollutants, climate systems, and environmental impacts.