Comparative Assessment of Atmospheric Pollutants Across Geopolitical Zones in Southern Nigeria Using Sentinel-5P (2019 and 2024)

Comparative Assessment of Atmospheric Pollutants Across Geopolitical Zones in Southern Nigeria Using Sentinel-5P (2019 and 2024) | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Comparative Assessment of Atmospheric Pollutants Across Geopolitical Zones in Southern Nigeria Using Sentinel-5P (2019 and 2024) Desmond Onyedika Okoye This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6491660/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Air quality across Southern Nigeria declined between 2019 and 2024, with distinct spatial and temporal variations in carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), methane (CH₄), and aerosols. Using Sentinel-5P satellite data, pollution levels were mapped across the South-East, South-South, and South-West geopolitical zones. The South-West exhibited the highest overall pollutant concentrations, driven by vehicular emissions, industrial output, and extensive generator use, particularly in Lagos and Ogun states. The South-East recorded the steepest increases in CO, SO₂ and methane, linked to domestic energy reliance, population density, and widespread open waste burning. The South-South, despite intense oil and gas activity, showed comparatively lower mean pollutant values, likely mitigated by coastal ventilation, though localized hotspots in Benin city, Port Harcourt, Asaba and Warri remained severe. Between 2019 and 2024, methane and aerosol concentrations surged, with the South-West experiencing the sharpest rise in aerosol index. The data reveal a convergence in pollutant loads among zones by 2024, emphasizing the role of unregulated urban growth, fossil fuel dependence, and weak environmental governance. These findings emphasize rising regional air quality risks and the urgent need for differentiated policy strategies tailored to each zone’s socio-economic and environmental realities. Environmental Engineering Environmental Policy Air pollution Sentinel-5P Southern Nigeria Carbon monoxide (CO) Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) Methane (CH₄) Aerosols Geospatial analysis Urban emissions Gas flaring Regional air quality Environmental governance Tropospheric pollutants. Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Using Sentinel-5P satellite data, pollution levels were mapped across the South-East, South-South, and South-West geopolitical zones. The South-West exhibited the highest overall pollutant concentrations, driven by vehicular emissions, industrial output, and extensive generator use, particularly in Lagos and Ogun states. The South-East recorded the steepest increases in CO, SO₂ and methane, linked to domestic energy reliance, population density, and widespread open waste burning. The South-South, despite intense oil and gas activity, showed comparatively lower mean pollutant values, likely mitigated by coastal ventilation, though localized hotspots in Benin city, Port Harcourt, Asaba and Warri remained severe. Between 2019 and 2024, methane and aerosol concentrations surged, with the South-West experiencing the sharpest rise in aerosol index. The data reveal a convergence in pollutant loads among zones by 2024, emphasizing the role of unregulated urban growth, fossil fuel dependence, and weak environmental governance. 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